Glenn Maxwell Explained: The Big Show's 201 Not Out and Impact Cricket
Who Glenn Maxwell is — Australia's explosive middle-order batter and off-spin bowler, his extraordinary 201 not out against Afghanistan while playing through severe cramping at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, his batting approach and global franchise value.
Glenn Maxwell (born 1988 in Kew, Victoria) — nicknamed 'The Big Show' — is Australia's most explosive batting talent and one of cricket's most exciting limited-overs players. A middle-order batter and off-spin bowler, Maxwell is renowned for his ability to score at extremely high strike rates from any position in the batting order, playing innovative shots that conventional batting coaching would dismiss as reckless. He retired from ODI cricket in June 2025 and is no longer on Cricket Australia's central contract list, making his 2026 T20 World Cup campaign his last major tournament. He plays for Melbourne Stars in the BBL and has featured in the IPL, PSL, and other franchise leagues globally.
The 201 Not Out: Cricket's Greatest ODI Innings
Maxwell's 201 not out against Afghanistan at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in Mumbai is widely considered one of the greatest ODI innings ever played. The context makes it extraordinary: Australia were 91/7 (requiring 292 more) when Maxwell came in with Pat Cummins. Maxwell was suffering severe cramping in both legs and could barely run between wickets — Cummins ran all singles while Maxwell batted. What followed was 128 balls of extraordinary batting: Maxwell scored 201 not out from 128 balls (strike rate 157), hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes. Australia won the match from 91/7. Maxwell hit sixes over multiple different fielders, reverse swept, slog swept, and played conventional drives while being unable to use his legs fully.
Batting Style and Innovations
Maxwell's batting repertoire includes: the switch hit (turning grip and stance to bat as a left-hander mid-delivery), the reverse sweep, the upper cut, the ramp shot over the wicketkeeper's head, and the conventional off side drive. He hits the ball remarkably hard for his size; his hand speed and eye-hand coordination allow him to play shots off good-length deliveries that other batters would defend. In Test cricket, his record is more modest — he averages around 30 — because his unconventional technique is more vulnerable to sustained lateral movement and sustained pressure. In T20 and ODI cricket, where the game opens up and he can play his shots from the first ball, he is devastating.
IPL and Global Franchise Value
Maxwell has been one of the most expensive Australian players in IPL auctions — bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for enormous sums due to his franchise T20 impact value. His off-spin bowling adds utility, but his primary IPL value is as a middle-order finisher who can win T20 matches in 10–15 balls when set. He has also played in the Pakistan Super League and other global T20 competitions. His 2023 World Cup innings significantly elevated his global profile and placed him alongside Ben Stokes and Suryakumar Yadav in discussions about the most extraordinary single match-winning performances in limited-overs cricket.
Frequently asked questions
What is Glenn Maxwell's 201 not out famous for?
Scored at the 2023 ICC World Cup against Afghanistan — Maxwell came in at 91/7 with Australia needing 292 more runs, and scored 201 not out from 128 balls while severely cramped in both legs (unable to run between wickets). Pat Cummins ran all the singles. The innings is widely considered one of cricket's greatest ever, rescuing an impossible situation through sheer batting brilliance under physical duress.
What is Glenn Maxwell's batting style?
Explosive and innovative — featuring the switch hit, reverse sweep, ramp shot, and upper cut alongside conventional off-side drives. He scores at high strike rates from any position, reads the field precisely, and plays shots most coaches would prohibit. In limited-overs cricket he is devastating; in Tests his unconventional technique is more vulnerable to sustained pressure. Nicknamed 'The Big Show' for his ability to take control of matches dramatically.
Which IPL team does Glenn Maxwell play for?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — he has been bought by RCB for high auction fees due to his T20 middle-order impact value. He adds off-spin bowling utility but his primary value is as a match-winning finisher who can score at 150+ strike rate from ball one.