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Selfless reason Australia's World Cup hero has retired
SEN • June 2nd, 2025 6:27 pm
Australia’s World Cup hero Glenn Maxwell has announced he will retire from ODI cricket with immediate effect.
Almost 13 years since his debut, the 36-year-old retires with two World Cups, four centuries and one double century to his name as well as 149 ODI matches.
He will remain available for Australia selection in T20 matches and competitions and will continue to play the Big Bash.
“I think back to right at the start I was picked ahead of my time and out of the blue,” Maxwell said when announcing his decision.
“I was just proud just to be playing a couple of games for Australia. I thought I was just going to have that.
“Since then, I have been able to go through the up and downs of being dropped, being brought back, playing in a few World Cups and being a part of some great teams.”
It seems the ongoing impact of a leg injury as well as the physical toll of ODI cricket forced him into making a decision.
“I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions. I had a good chat with (Chair of Selectors) George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward,” he told the Final Word Podcast.
“We talked about the 2027 World Cup and I said to him ‘I don’t think I am going to make that, it’s time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own’. Hopefully they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.
“I always said I wasn’t going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn’t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.“They are moving in such a clear direction so this give them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is.”
Maxwell’s stats speak for themselves, his ODI career 3,990 runs at an average of 33.81 and a strike rate of 126.70.
Maxwell is the latest in a string of big-name Aussies to walk away from ODI cricket with Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis also calling time this year.
“Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories.,” Australia men’s selector George Bailey said.
“His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.
“Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the World Cup early next year.”
