There’s growing reason to believe Australia batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s T20 journey may be entering its closing chapter—whether in international cricket or franchise leagues. Maxwell chose not to feature in this year’s Indian Premier League, opting instead for the Pakistan Super League. For Hyderabad Kinsmen, he has appeared in five matches so far, and in four of those outings he has failed to make an impact, posting scores of 2, 0, 2 and 1. In a lone bright spot, he struck 21 not out from just 9 balls, helping his side clinch a win.
With the ball, Maxwell hasn’t been a complete letdown, but bowling is not his main calling card. The bigger problem is that his team, overall, has struggled. After nine games, they sit in the lower half of the standings with four victories and five defeats.
Recent performances have also raised questions about Maxwell’s form on the international stage. He was part of the group that failed to reach the Super 8s of the 2026 T20 World Cup, with losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka ending their campaign early. Since then, months have passed without him producing a standout innings anywhere.
Taken together, it has led many to suggest that Maxwell’s days in T20 cricket could be numbered. Yet that conclusion may be premature. Peter Moors, the head coach of Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL), has made it clear he still wants the all-rounder involved for the next season. Earlier this year, the Stars re-signed Maxwell, who is currently the third-highest run-scorer in BBL history.
“Maxi remains important” for Melbourne Stars
Moors stressed how central Maxwell is to the identity of the team, saying that the idea of winning without him would be a real disappointment. He also highlighted the excitement Maxwell brings and noted that even when the tournament doesn’t go perfectly, that’s often part and parcel of T20 cricket. Moors pointed out that the 2026 BBL season wasn’t Maxwell’s best in terms of overall output, with 76 runs scored across 11 matches.
He further explained that Maxwell can be deployed across a range of batting positions—from as high as one through to as low as seven—and that his influence tends to be felt whenever he faces a substantial number of deliveries. The coach suggested that although outcomes can vary depending on how the game develops, a spell in which Maxwell gets roughly 20 balls usually means he can sway the contest strongly.
Moors also described what drives Maxwell’s best cricket: wanting the right kind of match-up and the proper situations to create an impact. He said that when there is a challenge in front of him that he has to negotiate and solve to help the team get over the line, it supports Maxwell’s mindset and role as his career progresses. He added that sometimes the coach may get a sense of where Maxwell’s game is headed based on how he believes he’s performing at that stage.
The coach made those comments in February, though the interview was shared on Sunday morning by cricket.com.au—seemingly offering a small hint that Maxwell may still have more to give. Even if the interview details are slightly dated, the overall message is clear: there is enough indication that 37-year-old Maxwell hasn’t played his final T20 innings just yet.
