Glenn Maxwell

One of the fastest scorers in world cricket, Glenn Maxwell has lit up the limited-overs formats. His ability to make unconventional shots – reverse sweeps and pulls, for example – appear routine makes it hard to set fields to cover all of his scoring areas. Maxwell’s audacity comes with risk, and he can exasperate as well as exhilarate, but at his best he can change a game in moments. Also a handy offspinner and outstanding fielder, Maxwell offers an impressive package in one-day and T20 cricket when things click.To date, his most extraordinary display (among many) came against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup when he struck a monumental 201 not out off 128 balls lead Australia to a remarkable victory from an almost hopeless positionIn 2017 he made his first Test hundred, against India in Ranchi. He was subsequently briefly dropped from the ODI side but came back and made his third T20I century in Bangalore early in 2019 to help Australia chase 191. The ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE that followed was a high point as well.Late in 2019, Maxwell took a mental-health break from the game. The time away, along with conversations about his role with white-ball captain Aaron Finch, helped revive his form – he made five scores of over 45 in six ODI innings in 2020, had an impressive IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore the following year, and in January 2022, became the first batter to breach the 150-run mark in a BBL innings. However, he made little impact in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups.He made his name for Victoria with a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania in 2010-11, the fastest fifty in Australia’s one-day domestic history, and transferred that talent to the international stage. At the 2015 World Cup he blasted a 51-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in Sydney, then the fastest for Australia in ODIs, and the second-quickest in World Cup history.Australia have also used Maxwell in Tests but to less effect. However, in Delhi in 2013 he had the distinction of opening the batting and bowling in the same Test, as Australia strove in vain to turn their disastrous series around. He came close to a recall on the 2022 tour of Sri Lanka.In late 2022 he suffered a badly broken leg when he slipped at a friend’s birthday party.Renowned Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, a destructive batsman and handy bowler known for his explosive hitting and innovative strokeplay.