'I felt like I was letting the team down': Selfless reason Glenn Maxwell is retiring from ODI cricket
Short-form superstar Glenn Maxwell has announced his decision to retire from ODI cricket as Australia prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Maxwell will prioritise the 2026 tournament in India and Sri Lanka and ends his 50-over career with 149 matches played for Australia.
The 36-year-old joins Steve Smith in exiting the format, after his retirement in March.
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Glenn Maxwell has retired from ODI cricket. Getty
Maxwell said on The Final Word podcast that he didn't think he'd be able to reach the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how my body was reacting to the conditions (at the Champions Trophy). I had a good chat with (chairman of selectors) George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward," he said.
"We talked about the 2027 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'. Hopefully they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.
"I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.
"They are moving in such a clear direction so this give them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is."
Australia's Glenn Maxwell, left, holds the ODI World Cup trophy with teammate David Warner. Rafiq Maqbool via AP
Maxwell's strike rate in ODI cricket is the second highest in the format at 126.7. He sits behind West Indian Andre Russell.
He finishes with 3990 runs at 33.81 and also claimed 77 wickets.
Maxwell will forever be remembered for the 201 not out he hit, effectively on one leg, against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup.
"Glenn's ballistic batting has lit up the cricket world and been one of the cornerstones of Australia's continued success in the 50 over game, including his heroic role in the 2023 World Cup triumph," Cricket Australia chief executive, Todd Greenberg, said.
Bailey added Maxwell "still has much to offer in the T20 format".
