Australian all-rounder folds 15-year international career but remains available for Melbourne Stars in Big Bash League
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell on Monday night announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career spanning more than a decade, while confirming he will continue playing in the Big Bash League (BBL).
The 38-year-old has also retired from first-class and List A cricket but remains committed to the Melbourne Stars after extending his contract until the 2027-28 season.
Maxwell had previously retired from one-day internationals in June 2025 but continued playing T20 internationals, representing Australia at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Australia’s final match of that tournament, against Oman in February, proved to be his last international appearance. He took two wickets but did not get an opportunity to bat as Australia failed to progress beyond the group stage.
“A little bit sad and a little bit inevitable as well. Announcing my retirement from international cricket and domestic games for Victoria in the 50-over and four-day stuff. Red ball completely, probably won’t shock anybody,” Maxwell said on the Final World Podcast.
“After the last one-day game for Victoria, speaking to my teammates and letting them know that that was going to be my last game for the state was probably harder than I thought it was going to be. Knowing that they’ve played such a huge role in my whole career, every time I’ve come back, had great teammates there and a lot of support from the state,” said Maxwell.
“Yeah, I certainly got a little bit choked up speaking in front of the group, but yeah, it’s probably a time where I probably need to spend a little bit more time investing in the body to make sure I can get through the remaining couple of tournaments I’ve got in my career,” Maxwell said.
“We probably had numerous discussions before and after the T20 World Cup,” Maxwell said on the Final Word podcast, adding that the decision was made without pressure from the Australian team management.
The two-time ODI World Cup winner said he had considered the possibility of playing a farewell international at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but understood Australia’s focus on rebuilding ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Maxwell played a key role in Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup triumph, scoring the winning runs in the final. He also became one of the most explosive batters in the shortest format, scoring 2,897 runs in 130 T20 internationals at a strike rate of 154.42.
His tally includes five centuries, a joint world record in men’s T20 internationals alongside India’s Rohit Sharma. He also claimed 51 wickets in the format.
Maxwell earned seven Test caps, scoring 339 runs, including a century against India in Ranchi in 2017.
The all-rounder recently led Belfast Wolves to the final of the inaugural European T20 Premier League before representing Victoria in two One-Day Cup matches.
Maxwell also revealed that managing his fitness had become a priority as he prepares for the remaining tournaments in his playing career.
He had considered making himself available for Australia’s upcoming white-ball series against England, which includes a T20 international in Melbourne, but opted to focus on recovering from a knee problem and preparing for the BBL.
The Melbourne Stars will therefore remain his primary competitive commitment as he begins the next chapter of his cricket career.
