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Entertainer and enigma, Maxwell bows out as cricket's great what-if

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Glenn Maxwell concluded his 286-match international journey with legendary limited-overs accolades, including hitting the winning runs in Australia's maiden 2021 T20 World Cup victory. His white-ball mastery was underscored by an extraordinary, unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan that rescued his squad from 91-7 during the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, his attacking flair rarely translated to the longest format, yielding just seven Test appearances and 339 runs between 2013 and 2017. Off the field, the Indian Premier League star openly detailed his personal battles after stepping away for a mental health break in 2019.

Key points

  • The all-rounder was instrumental in major international triumphs, including two ODI World…: The all-rounder was instrumental in major international triumphs, including two ODI World Cups and Australia's 2021 T20 World Cup.
  • Despite achieving immense white-ball and franchise success, Maxwell was unable to cement…: Despite achieving immense white-ball and franchise success, Maxwell was unable to cement a long-term presence in Test cricket.
  • Maxwell openly addressed his personal challenges in his autobiography following a tempora…: Maxwell openly addressed his personal challenges in his autobiography following a temporary mental health break from the sport in 2019.

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Nov 3 : Part entertainer, part enigma, Glenn Maxwell will go down in cricket folklore as the game's great what‑if — a maverick shot‑maker whose limited‑overs wizardry never extended to red‑ball cricket.

Where many of his peers stuck to the batting manual, Maxwell rewrote it with his 360‑degree stroke‑play, which made field settings a nightmare for rival captains.

It could not be risk-free, but Maxwell cared little as he pulled off reverse hits and cheeky scoops with a gum‑chewing nonchalance.

Fans expected spectacle whenever Maxwell walked out with the bat and, more often than not, he delivered it with his unorthodox shots.

The definitive example came at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Chasing 292 against Afghanistan and with Australia reeling at 91-7, Maxwell conjured up an unforgettable 201 not out off 128 balls to complete a chase that had looked impossible.

That sense of occasion was present from his Australia debut, an ODI against Afghanistan in 2012, and it studded his career.

A two‑time ODI World Cup winner, Maxwell also hit the winning runs in Australia's maiden T20 World Cup…

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