Australia’s Glenn ‘Big Show’ Maxwell calls time on ODIs

SYDNEY: Explosive Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell called time on his one-day international career Monday, but will continue in Twenty20 cricket with his eye on next year´s World Cup.

The 36-year-old, who played 149 ODIs, blasting 3,990 runs, said he was starting to feel the physical toll of the 50-over game. “I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how my body was reacting to the conditions,” said Maxwell, who was nicknamed “Big Show” for his all-action entertaining style of play.

“I had a good chat with (chair of selectors) George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward. “We talked about the 2027 (50-over) 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´.

“I didn´t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.” His last game was Australia´s Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to India in early March, after which fellow veteran Steve Smith also quit the 50-over format.

The mercurial Maxwell´s strike rate of 126.70 is the second highest in ODI cricket where he has crunched four hundreds and 23 half-centuries. His rate of scoring is second only to West Indian heavy hitter Andre Russell, and Maxwell has also taken 77 wickets with his off-spin.

Perhaps his most memorable innings was at the 2023 World Cup against Afghanistan in Mumbai, when he was batting with Australia reeling at 91-7, chasing 293 to win. In a high-pressure situation and battling severe cramp in searing heat, Maxwell took control, slamming 201 from just 128 balls to take his team to victory.

He scored 179 of those runs in an unbroken 202 partnership with Pat Cummins, who contributed just 12 after coming at number nine. Australia went on to win the tournament, beating favourites India in the final at Ahmedabad.

Maxwell was also part of the Australia team that lifted the 2015 ODI World Cup. “Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game´s most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories,” said Bailey. “His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb.

“What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia. “Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well, he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the World Cup early next year.”