Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 19: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has indicated that veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell could be nearing the end of his international career following Australia’s early exit from the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Australia’s campaign ended in disappointment after the team failed to progress beyond the group stage, missing out on a Super 8 berth. The setback has reignited discussion around the future of the side’s senior players as the team looks to rebuild for the next global cycle.
Speaking to The ICC Review, Ponting offered a candid assessment of Maxwell’s prospects.
“Glenn Maxwell, I don't think will be there,” Ponting said. “I think it looks to me like his career is coming towards an end.”
Australia still have one fixture remaining — a February 20 clash against Oman in Kandy — and Ponting suggested the match could carry added significance, potentially marking Maxwell’s final appearance in a T20 World Cup, or even in international cricket.
However, Ponting expects several other senior players to continue through to the 2028 edition of the tournament.
“I think Mitchell Marsh will probably hang on long enough for (the 2028 T20 World Cup) and I think Travis Head will definitely be around and (Josh) Inglis will be around,” he added, referring to Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Josh Inglis.
Maxwell has been one of Australia’s most dynamic white-ball cricketers over the past decade, playing key roles in their ODI World Cup triumphs in 2015 and 2023 and their T20 World Cup victory in 2021. Known for his explosive batting and game-changing abilities, he has often been a match-winner on the biggest stages.
But as he approaches 37, his recent numbers reflect a dip in output. The all-rounder has not scored a T20 half-century since August last year. Across his last 12 T20 outings, he has managed 140 runs at an average of 15.55 and a strike rate of 113.82 — figures below his typically aggressive standards.
Australia’s 2026 campaign never quite found momentum, with inconsistency and balance issues hampering progress. The early exit has sharpened the focus on transition, with selectors now likely to weigh experience against the need for fresh energy.
If this World Cup does prove to be Maxwell’s final chapter in Australian colours, he will bow out as one of the most audacious and entertaining cricketers of his generation — a player whose flair and fearless approach left an indelible mark on the white-ball game.