For more than a decade, Glenn Maxwell entertained cricket fans with his unique style of batting. He could hit sixes into areas where most batters would never think of playing a shot. He could change a match within a few overs and make even the toughest run chases look easy. His nickname, ‘The Big Show’, perfectly suited his fearless style of play.
However, Maxwell’s career was about much more than big hits. He pulled Australia out of difficult situations, picked up important wickets when his team needed them, and delivered some unforgettable performances on the biggest stages.
On November 2, 2026, Glenn Maxwell announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing his 14-year journey to an end. He finished his career with 149 ODIs, 130 T20Is and seven Tests. He also won two ODI World Cups and one T20 World Cup with Australia.
As Australian cricket says goodbye to one of its most exciting match-winners, let’s look back at ten of his greatest international innings.
1. 201* vs Afghanistan – 2023 ODI World Cup, Mumbai
This innings will always remain one of the biggest moments of Maxwell’s career. Australia were chasing 292 runs, but things quickly went wrong as they lost seven wickets for just 91 runs. Their World Cup hopes were in danger.
Maxwell, who was struggling with severe cramps and a back spasm, could hardly move around the crease. But he refused to give up. He smashed an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls, hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes.
He also shared a 202-run partnership with Pat Cummins to take Australia home by three wickets. This incredible win also booked Australia’s place in the semi-finals. It was an innings that showed why Maxwell was such a special player.
You can watch the highlights of his batting HERE.
2. 145* vs Sri Lanka – 2016 T20I, Pallekele
Glenn Maxwell showed the world just how dangerous he could be with this incredible knock against Sri Lanka. He opened the batting for Australia for the first time in T20Is and made the most of the opportunity.
The right-hander smashed an unbeaten 145 off just 65 balls, including 14 fours and nine sixes. His explosive batting helped Australia post 263/3, which was a world record total at the time.
Sri Lanka struggled to keep up with the required run rate and managed only 178/9. Australia won the match by 85 runs. Maxwell’s innings showed how quickly he could take the game away from the opposition.
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3. 95 and 4/46 vs England – 2015 ODI Tri-Series Final, Perth
Glenn Maxwell delivered a brilliant all-round performance against England in the 2015 tri-series final. Australia were in trouble after losing four wickets for just 60 runs. But Maxwell stepped up when his team needed him.
He played an attacking knock of 95 runs and helped Australia recover to 278/8. However, he was not done yet.
Maxwell returned with the ball and picked up four wickets for 46 runs. His spell broke England’s middle order and helped Australia bowl them out for just 166. Australia won the final by 112 runs, with Maxwell playing a major role in both innings.
4. 113* vs India – 2019 T20I, Bengaluru
Australia had a difficult start while chasing India’s target of 191 runs in Bengaluru. They lost two wickets for just 22 runs, putting pressure on the middle order.
Maxwell walked in and completely changed the game. Virat Kohli had earlier scored an unbeaten 72 for India, but Maxwell made sure Australia stayed in the contest.
He smashed an unbeaten 113 off just 55 balls, hitting seven fours and nine sixes. D’Arcy Short and Peter Handscomb also played useful knocks to support him.
Australia reached 194/3 in 19.4 overs and won the match by seven wickets. The victory also helped them complete a 2-0 T20I series sweep.
5. 120* vs West Indies – 2024 T20I, Adelaide
Maxwell produced another special performance against West Indies in Adelaide. Australia had lost three wickets early in their innings, but he took control and kept the scoreboard moving.
The Australian batter smashed an unbeaten 120 off just 55 balls. His innings included 12 fours and eight sixes, helping Australia reach a massive total of 241/4.
West Indies tried to fight back, with Rovman Powell scoring 63 runs. However, Marcus Stoinis picked up three wickets to restrict them to 207/9.
Australia won the match by 34 runs. Maxwell also equalled Rohit Sharma’s record of five T20I centuries with this knock.
6. 108 vs England – 2020 ODI, Manchester
Australia were chasing 303 runs against England in Manchester. However, their chase quickly fell apart as they lost five wickets for just 73 runs.
With the game slipping away, Maxwell joined Alex Carey at the crease. The two batters then produced a stunning fightback.
They added 212 runs for the sixth wicket, with Maxwell scoring 108 off 90 balls and Carey making 106. Their partnership brought Australia back into the game and put the visitors in a winning position.
Mitchell Starc helped finish the job as Australia reached 305/7 in 49.4 overs. They won the match by three wickets and sealed the ODI series 2-1.
7. 104* vs India – 2023 T20I, Guwahati
India had put up a huge total of 222/3 in Guwahati, thanks to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 123. Australia needed something special to chase down such a big target.
Maxwell once again took responsibility. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, he kept Australia in the hunt with his attacking batting.
He scored an unbeaten 104 off just 48 balls and reached his century in only 47 deliveries. His innings included eight fours and eight sixes.
Australia needed a big finish, and Maxwell delivered it on the final ball of the match. They reached 225/5 and won by five wickets, keeping the series alive. Interestingly, Maxwell also bowled one over in the match, conceding 30 runs without taking a wicket.
8. 102 vs Sri Lanka – 2015 ODI World Cup, Sydney
Maxwell’s first ODI century came during the 2015 ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka. He produced a powerful finish to Australia’s innings and gave the team a big total to defend.
He scored 102 off just 53 balls and reached his century in only 51 deliveries. At the time, it was the fastest World Cup century by an Australian batter.
Australia posted 376/9 in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka fought hard but managed only 312 runs before getting bowled out.
Australia won the match by 64 runs and secured their place in the quarter-finals. Maxwell also bowled six overs and conceded 35 runs.
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9. 103* vs England – 2018 T20I, Hobart
Glenn Maxwell once again showed why he was such a valuable all-rounder during the Trans-Tasman T20I tri-series.
England batted first and posted 155/9. Maxwell played an important role with the ball, picking up three wickets for just 10 runs.
However, his biggest contribution came during Australia’s chase. The hosts suffered an early collapse and lost two wickets for just four runs.
Maxwell stepped up and took control of the innings. He smashed an unbeaten 103 off 58 balls to guide Australia to 161/5 in 18.3 overs.
Australia won the match by five wickets, with Maxwell making a difference with both bat and ball.
10. 104 vs India – 2017 Test, Ranchi
Maxwell’s only Test century came during Australia’s tour of India in 2017. Unlike his usual attacking style in limited-overs cricket, he showed patience and discipline in this innings.
Batting alongside Steven Smith, Maxwell scored 104 off 185 balls in Australia’s first innings. Smith remained unbeaten on 178 as Australia posted 451 runs.
Maxwell handled India’s spin attack well and showed that he could also play a patient innings when the situation demanded it.
India responded with 603/9 declared. Australia scored 204/6 in their second innings before the match ended in a draw.
Although Maxwell did not play many Test matches, this century remains one of the most memorable moments of his red-ball career.
Glenn Maxwell: A White-Ball Great Who Could Have Offered More in Test Cricket
Maxwell’s Test career never reached the same heights as his success in limited-overs cricket. He played only seven Tests between 2013 and 2017 and scored 339 runs, including his memorable century against India in Ranchi.
There was a time when Australia could have used him more regularly in Test cricket, especially during tours of the subcontinent. His attacking approach against spin bowling could have made him a valuable option. However, he never got a long run in the Test side.
His real legacy will always belong to white-ball cricket. Maxwell was never just a batter who could hit big sixes. He was a match-winner who could rescue Australia from difficult situations and turn a game around within a few overs.
His off-spin gave Australia another bowling option, while his fielding made him an important part of the team. He gave cricket fans something different and made the impossible look possible on several occasions.
Although his international career has come to an end, Maxwell will continue to play franchise T20 cricket, including the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars.
What is your favourite Glenn Maxwell innings? Let us know in the comments.
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