Big Show Bows Out: Glenn Maxwell’s Six Greatest Innings for Australia

Glenn Maxwell has walked away from international cricket, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. The 38-year-old Big Show has also ended his first-class and List A careers, but he remains available for Melbourne Stars in the BBL. Here are six knocks that defined his Australian story.

The Big Show Takes His Final Bow

Maxwell’s retirement closes one of the most thrilling white-ball chapters in Australian cricket. He was part of the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup-winning sides and the 2021 T20 World Cup triumph.

He was reportedly overlooked for Australia’s T20 squad to face England this month, so a farewell appearance never came. Even so, his highlight reel needs no extra help.

For all the outrageous shots, some feel Maxwell remained an unfulfilled talent. That debate will rage on, but the knocks below make a powerful case for his greatness.

Maxwell’s Six Greatest Innings at a Glance

The Miracle of Mumbai: 201 Not Out

From 91 for 7 to World Cup Immortality

This was the career-defining knock. Australia were 91 for 7 chasing 292 in a must-win game against Afghanistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup. An early exit loomed.

Captain Pat Cummins joined Maxwell, who was unbeaten on 22, and the contest flipped on its head.

Cramps, Collapse and Carnage

Cramps left Maxwell barely able to walk. He collapsed to the turf with 10 overs still to go and needed fluids and long treatment just to keep batting.

With his feet stuck to the crease, he somehow plundered 201 not out from 128 balls, hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes. Australia reached the semi-finals and moved a step closer to what had seemed an unlikely World Cup triumph.

Many regard it as arguably the greatest ODI innings of all time.

T20 Ton Ignites a Record Score

Maxwell stepped in for the injured Aaron Finch to open in a T20I for the first time in September 2016. He had been out of sorts, but he looked at home immediately.

In Pallekele, he opened with a reverse sweep for the first six of the match. He cleared the rope eight more times and added 14 boundaries.

His fifty came in 27 balls. He needed only 22 more deliveries for his maiden T20I ton, and he carried his bat for 145 not out from 65 balls.

Australia’s 263 for 3 surpassed Sri Lanka’s record T20I score against Kenya and equalled the then highest total in the format.

A Test Century Filled with Promise

Patience Before the Power

Maxwell is one of only six Australians to score a century in all three formats. He did it despite playing only seven Tests and none at home.

In Ranchi in 2017, he showed he had another gear. He waited until his 56th delivery to hit his first boundary, then turned to his more familiar approach.

The result was 104 from 185 balls, his first and only Test ton.

A Style Ahead of Its Time

He played just three more Tests, and his red-ball potential stayed untapped. His aggressive counterattacking approach was arguably ahead of its time.

World Cup Century Lights Up the SCG

Maxwell had shown X-factor, but he had yet to deliver in a starring role until his maiden international hundred at the SCG in 2015.

His 51-ball century against Sri Lanka was then the quickest by an Australian in men’s ODIs. It was also the second-fastest in World Cup history.

He hit 10 boundaries and four sixes before falling for 102. Once again, his match-turning knock came in a must-win World Cup game.

He went on to lift the trophy that year. He added two more crowns when he hit the winning runs at the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

The Big Show Stars Off Broadway

Before his Mumbai masterpiece, Maxwell warmed up against the Netherlands in New Delhi at the 2023 World Cup. He faced his first ball midway through the 41st over.

He still raced to an unbeaten 75 by the end of the 48th. Then he struck 4, 4, 6, 6 off the first four balls of a Bas de Leede over.

He reached a 40-ball century with a hook over fine leg from a no-ball full toss. It is the quickest at a men’s Cricket World Cup and still the fastest for an Australian in all ODIs.

Last Hurrah Leaves a Mark

Maxwell was riding high from the World Cup when he took on West Indies at Adelaide Oval early in 2024. He started slowly, then stepped through the gears with sixes off switch hits and reverse sweeps.

He reached fifty from 25 balls and a century from 50 deliveries. He finished unbeaten on 120 from 55 balls with eight sixes.

It was his fifth T20I century, a record he still shares with Rohit Sharma for the most among men’s batters. It was also his last ton for Australia.

The Verdict on a Fearless Career

Impeccable hand-eye coordination, inventive strokeplay and a 360-degree game defined Maxwell. So did a knack for saving his best for the biggest stages.

Fans may argue over whether he fulfilled his talent. Few will argue about the thrill he delivered. Which of these six is your favourite?