Glenn Maxwell announces his retirement from international cricket after 14 years with Australia
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, 38, has announced his retirement from international cricket — and from 50-over and four-day cricket for Victoria — on The Final Word podcast, in an episode released on Tuesday 3 November 2026. He will keep playing franchise Twenty20 cricket, including for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. He had already retired from one-day internationals in June 2025; his last appearance for Australia was against Oman at the T20 World Cup in February 2026.
Key points
- Glenn Maxwell, 38, has retired from international cricket — announced on The Final Word podcast on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
- He also ends his Victoria 50-over and four-day career, but keeps playing franchise T20 cricket, including for the Melbourne Stars.
- 286 internationals: 7 Tests, 149 ODIs, 130 T20Is; 3,990 ODI runs, 2,897 T20I runs, 136 wickets; World Cup winner in 2015, 2021 and 2023.
What happened
The announcement closes a 14-year international career built on rapid scoring and unconventional shots — the nickname was 'The Big Show' — and it came a day after Australia named a youth-focused squad for the home series against England, ending Maxwell's hope of a farewell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
His most famous innings remains the unbeaten 201 off 128 balls against Afghanistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai, made with Australia 91 for 7 chasing 292 and while struggling with cramps, in an unbroken 202-run stand with Pat Cummins.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedGlenn Maxwell announced his retirement from international cricket and from domestic games for Victoria in the 50-over and four-day formats, saying on The Final Word podcast: "I'm going to be announcing my retirement from international cricket and domestic games for Victoria in the 50 over and the four-day stuff, red ball completely." The announcement does not end his franchise Twenty20 career — he remains contracted to the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.Reuters — 'Big Show' Maxwell announces international retirement (3 Nov 2026) · Hindu BusinessLine — Glenn Maxwell retires from international cricket after 14-year career (3 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedMaxwell played 7 Tests, 149 one-day internationals and 130 Twenty20 internationals for Australia — 286 internationals in all — scoring 3,990 runs in ODIs and 2,897 in T20Is, taking 136 wickets across all three formats, and winning three World Cups: the ODI World Cups of 2015 and 2023 and the T20 World Cup of 2021.Reuters — 'Big Show' Maxwell announces international retirement (3 Nov 2026) · Hindu BusinessLine — Glenn Maxwell retires from international cricket after 14-year career (3 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedMaxwell had already retired from one-day international cricket in June 2025, and his final appearance for Australia was against Oman at the T20 World Cup in February 2026, where he took two wickets and did not get to bat.Reuters — 'Big Show' Maxwell announces international retirement (3 Nov 2026) · Hindu BusinessLine — Glenn Maxwell retires from international cricket after 14-year career (3 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedMaxwell said he had hoped for a farewell match at his home ground, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, against England this month, but that hope ended when Australia's squad for the series was announced on Monday with its focus on youth; he said he understood the selectors' direction and wanted to invest more time in his body to get through the remaining tournaments of his career.Reuters — 'Big Show' Maxwell announces international retirement (3 Nov 2026) · SportsTak — Glenn Maxwell announces retirement from international cricket after T20I snub (3 Nov 2026)