Glenn Maxwell bids adieu to ODI Cricket, bringing closure to an ODI career spanning 13 years and 149 Matches.
Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell bids adieu to ODI cricket in order to focus more on T20 Cricket.
The creator of what may be the greatest ODI innings ever played has declared that he will be retiring from the 50-over international format with immediate effect. However, he will still be available for T20 internationals, and it appears like he will continue till the T20 World Cup the following year.
Following Australia’s elimination from the Champions Trophy semi-final earlier this year, Maxwell, 36, has joined fellow two-time ODI World Cup winner Steven Smith in retiring from ODI. Maxwell is unlikely to be chosen to play red-ball cricket again, even if he hasn’t officially retired from Test cricket yet.
Maxwell’s announcement
In a lengthy interview on the Final Word Podcast on Monday, Maxwell announced his retirement, stating that the physical strain of playing ODI cricket had become too much for him after he suffered a broken leg in 2022 and pulled up sore after games at the 2017 Champions Trophy.
“I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions,” Maxwell said. “I had a good chat with [Australia chair of selectors] George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward.
“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 leaves ODI cricket with an incredible record, although his raw stats of 3990 runs at 33.81 and 77 wickets at 47.32 from 149 games do not fully reflect his abilities.
Throughout his career, Maxwell had important roles in the outfield and the ring, earning him a reputation as one of Australia’s top all-around fielders.
What CA CEO Todd Greenberg said
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said Australia was indebted to Maxwell for what he achieved in the format.
“Congratulations to Glenn on what has been one of the most exciting and influential one day international careers in the format’s history,” Greenberg said. “Glenn’s ballistic batting has lit up the cricket world and been one of the cornerstones of Australia’s continued success in the 50 over game, including his heroic role in the 2023 World Cup triumph.
“As with other greats of the game, crowds have flocked to grounds just to watch Glenn bat and children have been inspired to pick up a bat after seeing him put opposition attacks to the sword with a breathtaking array of shots.
“Australian cricket is indebted to Glenn for his ODI exploits and excited that he will now focus on our quest to win the ICC T20 World Cup next year.”