After 149 One Day Internationals, two World Cup trophies, and a career defined by both audacity and unpredictability, Glenn Maxwell has called time on his ODI journey. As Australia’s enigmatic all-rounder steps away from the 50-over format, it’s not just the end of a statistical chapter — it’s the closing of one of the most thrilling subplots in modern cricket.
The Debut of a Disruptor
Maxwell’s entry into ODIs in August 2012 came with whispers of a “next big thing.” Explosive with the bat, deceptively crafty with the ball, and electric in the field — he was everything a modern white-ball cricketer should be. But consistency was always the looming question.
Across the next 12 years, Maxwell would give the format moments of magic and heartbreak alike.
The Highs: Brilliance That Left the World in Awe
2015 Cricket World Cup
Maxwell was instrumental in Australia’s dominant title run at home. His 66-ball century against Sri Lanka in Sydney — then the fastest-ever World Cup ton by an Australian — was a sign of what he could do when it all clicked. He ended the tournament with 324 runs at an average of 64.80, setting the tone in the middle overs like few others could.
The 2015-2020 Period
This was peak Maxwell — providing quickfire finishes, part-time spin breakthroughs, and game-changing fielding. He became a one-man momentum shift, albeit not always consistently. But his role in keeping Australia competitive in bilateral series was crucial, especially with the bat lower down the order.
The 2023 Masterpiece vs Afghanistan
If there’s one performance that will define Maxwell’s ODI legacy, it came under the lights of Mumbai. With Australia teetering at 91/7 chasing 293, Maxwell, cramping and unable to run, unleashed one of the greatest individual knocks in cricket history — an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls. It was the first-ever ODI double hundred in a chase and arguably the greatest solo rescue act the game has seen.
The Lows: Inconsistency, Injuries, and Selection Setbacks
For all his highs, Maxwell’s ODI career was punctuated by periods of form slumps and puzzling omissions. His aggressive style meant he often lived on a knife’s edge — spectacular when it came off, frustrating when it didn’t.
In 2017 and again in 2019, he faced exclusion from the ODI setup due to inconsistent performances. Injuries too played their part, as did his own mental health struggles — which he bravely opened up about, earning admiration off the field as much as on it.
His bowling — once a handy weapon — declined in effectiveness over time, and his place was often seen as a luxury selection rather than a necessity in certain phases.
The Final Goodbye: Choosing T20 Over ODIs
Maxwell’s decision to step away wasn’t abrupt, but rather reflective. “I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how the body was reacting to the conditions,” he admitted on the Final Word Podcast. At 35, with recurring injuries and a growing list of T20 commitments — both national and franchise-based — the call was practical.
He chose to focus on the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the Big Bash League, and other global leagues, stating he didn’t feel in a position to give his best in the 50-over format anymore.
A Career in Numbers — and Impact
Matches: 149
Runs: 3,990
Wickets: 77
Strike Rate: 126.70 (2nd-best for anyone with 1000+ runs in ODIs)
100s/50s: 4/23
World Cups: 2015, 2023
But Maxwell’s numbers only tell half the story. He changed games in bursts. He reinvented the middle overs. He took fielding to theatre. He was Australia’s X-factor in a format that often feared unpredictability — and yet he made it work, at least on his own terms.
The Curtain Call
As he steps away, there’s no farewell lap, no emotional press conference — just a decision made in the shadows of his final ODI appearance, during the 2025 Champions Trophy against India. It’s fitting that his last hurrah came in a high-stakes game, because Glenn Maxwell never knew how to play quietly.
In a format that often demands conformity, Maxwell chose chaos — and in doing so, left behind a legacy that will be replayed in highlights, remembered in stats, and cherished by those who love their cricket a little wild.
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