CricBengal.com | Sports Desk
Glenn Maxwell’s international career has come to an end, bringing the curtain down on one of the most entertaining batting careers in modern cricket. Known as “The Big Show”, the Australian all-rounder built his reputation on explosive strokeplay, inventive shots and extraordinary match-winning performances.
Maxwell represented Australia in 149 ODIs, 130 T20 internationals and seven Tests. He was part of three World Cup-winning teams: the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup sides and Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup team.
As cricket looks back on his international career, six innings stand out among the many unforgettable moments he produced.
1. The Unforgettable 201 Not Out Against Afghanistan
Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai remains one of the most remarkable innings in the history of the tournament.
Chasing 292, Australia were in serious trouble at 91 for seven. With the team on the brink of defeat, Maxwell launched an extraordinary counterattack alongside captain Pat Cummins.
Despite suffering severe cramps, Maxwell continued batting and finished unbeaten on 201 from 128 balls, hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes. Cummins provided valuable support at the other end as Australia completed a remarkable three-wicket victory.
The innings became one of the defining moments of the 2023 World Cup.
2. A Record-Breaking 145 Not Out Against Sri Lanka
In September 2016, Maxwell produced a stunning performance against Sri Lanka in a T20 international at Pallekele.
Opening the innings in the absence of Aaron Finch, Maxwell attacked from the beginning. He reached his half-century in just 27 balls before completing his first T20I century.
He finished unbeaten on 145 from 65 deliveries, hitting 14 fours and nine sixes. Australia scored 263 for three, setting a world-record T20I team total at the time.
The innings remains Maxwell’s highest individual score in international T20 cricket.
3. A Patient Test Century in Ranchi
Although Maxwell was best known for his aggressive white-ball batting, he also demonstrated his ability to adapt to the demands of Test cricket.
During the 2017 Test series in India, he scored his only Test century in Ranchi. He had to wait 56 balls for his first boundary, showing a level of patience that contrasted with his usual attacking style.
Maxwell eventually scored 104 from 185 deliveries and built an important partnership with Steve Smith. The match ended in a draw, but the innings demonstrated his ability to play a disciplined role in the longest format.
4. His First ODI Century at the 2015 World Cup
Maxwell scored his first international century against Sri Lanka at the 2015 ODI World Cup in Sydney.
He reached three figures in just 53 balls and finished with 102 runs, including 10 fours and four sixes. His aggressive innings helped Australia secure a 64-run victory.
Australia went on to win the tournament, and Maxwell later became part of the country’s 2021 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup-winning teams.
5. A 40-Ball World Cup Century Against the Netherlands
Maxwell produced another extraordinary performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, this time against the Netherlands in Delhi.
He reached his century in just 40 balls, setting the record for the fastest hundred in men’s ODI World Cup history. Maxwell eventually scored 106 from 44 deliveries, hitting nine fours and eight sixes.
Australia won the match by a massive 309-run margin. The innings highlighted Maxwell’s ability to change the course of a match in a remarkably short period.
6. An Unbeaten 120 Against the West Indies
In February 2024, Maxwell delivered another memorable T20I performance against the West Indies in Adelaide.
He scored an unbeaten 120 from 55 balls, including eight sixes. It was his fifth century in men’s T20 internationals, drawing him level with Rohit Sharma for the most hundreds in the format at the time.
It also proved to be Maxwell’s final international T20 century for Australia.
The End of an International Era
Maxwell retired from ODI cricket in 2025 but remained available for Australia’s T20I team. His final international appearance came against Oman at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
After being left out of Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against England, Maxwell announced his retirement from international cricket. He will, however, continue playing franchise T20 cricket, including for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.
A three-time World Cup winner with five T20I centuries, Maxwell leaves behind a collection of performances that reflected his unique approach to batting. His international career may be over, but the memories of his extraordinary sixes and match-changing innings will remain part of cricket history.
Publisher: CricBengal.com/BH
