Curtain falls on Big Show as Glenn Maxwell retires from T20 international cricket

Australian short-form cricket star Glenn Maxwell has retired from the international game. The 38-year-old had already retired from one-day international cricket in 2025 but has hung up his bat and gloves for Australia’s T20 team, as well as for his state.

“Post the last one-day game for Victoria, speaking to my teammates and letting them know that was going to be my last game for the state was probably harder than I thought it was going to be – got a little choked up,” Maxwell said on The Final Word podcast.

Maxwell played with Australia at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka earlier this year and across his career played 130 T20 internationals, scoring 2,897 runs at 28.97 and with a strike rate of 154.42.

He also took 51 wickets and 62 catches and posted a high score of 145 not out, which he scored against Sri Lanka in 2016.

“I’m grateful for the time I was able to play for my country,” he said. “If you had offered me that career when I first walked into the Vic change rooms in 2009-ish, I would have bitten your hand off.

“I’m extremely grateful to have played that much for my country and to hopefully inspire some kids who want to take the game up, to want to play differently and to be open and vulnerable and to not shy away and be themselves.

“It was pretty incredible when even getting my first Test cap, well and truly before I was probably ready.

“It was pretty exciting and I’m glad they took a gamble on me and I’m glad I could, at different stages, repay the faith and be afforded the chance to play as much, for as far, as I did.”

Maxwell also played seven Tests for Australia and 149 ODIs, and enjoyed an expansive and productive first class and List A career with Victoria, too. He will continue to play Twenty20 franchise cricket, including for the Melbourne Stars in the upcoming Big Bash League.