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Veteran Australia cricketer and stalwart, Mitchell Starc on Tuesday, September 2 announced retirement from the shortest format of the game - T20Is. The decision from the pace sensation came seeing him turn towards the demanding Test format and ODI cricket. It is to be noted that the 35-year-old hasn’t played T20Is since the T20 World Cup 2024, which took place in the USA and West Indies.
However, with the next edition of the T20 World Cup set to be played in a few months time in India and Sri Lanka, Australia will now be without Starc. Speaking after calling his time in the shortest format of the game, Starc said that Test cricket has always been his priority and will shift his focus towards it. “Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” he said.
Mitchell Starc to focus on India Test tour, Ashes and ODI World Cup
In a statement released by Cricket Australia, Starc said, “I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.” The 35-year-old now retired from T20Is, aims to shift his focus towards Test and ODI with Australia’s key series coming ahead.
“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns. It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament,” he added.
With Starc now retired from T20Is, he makes a move from the national setup as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, sitting only behind Adam Zampa. He puts curtains to his T20I career, having played over 65 matches and picking up 79 wickets at an economy of 7.74.
