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Mitchell Starc retires from T20Is at 35 to focus on Tests, Ashes, IPL, and the 2027 ODI World Cup, aiming to prolong his career and leave a legacy among top World Cup bowlers.
Mitchell Starc (AFP Photo)
Australia’s premier pace bowler Mitchell Starc, at 35, believes he still has much to offer in Test and ODI cricket. He stated he is ready to “milk” his body to achieve more success in the longest format of the game.
Starc recently announced his retirement from T20Is to focus on the Ashes, IPL, an away Test series in India, and the ODI World Cup in two years.
This decision means the left-handed quick, known for skipping the Indian Premier League to preserve his energy for international assignments, will not participate in the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka early next year.
“For lack of a better term, I want to milk my body as much as I can for as much Test cricket as possible. That was never going to be off the table,” Starc told cricket.com.au.
“I just felt like one of the other formats had to give. I feel like I’ve got plenty to offer the ODI team, and with that goal of getting my body to 2027, but also being good enough to be in that team for the World Cup in 2027. I felt like this was my best opportunity to prolong my Test career and get to that World Cup (in 2027).”
Starc played a crucial role in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, where Australia won their maiden world title in the format.
“I umm-ed and ahh-ed about which was the right format to put to the side. If I wasn’t going to be in the frame for 2027, then I didn’t want to hold up the spot. I still feel like I’ve got plenty to offer that ODI team. I’d thought about it for a while. I feel like it was probably a good time. I’m 35 now, Tests have always been my priority and they will remain my priority,” he said.
If Starc continues until the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, he could conclude his career as one of the greatest ODI World Cup bowlers of all time. Only Glenn McGrath (71 scalps in four World Cups – 1996, 1999, 2003, and 2007) and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (68 wickets from five tournaments from 1996 to 2011) have more World Cup wickets than Starc’s 65 (2015, 2019, and 2023).
Starc believes he is leaving the T20 side at an appropriate time, given the team’s strong position with new players stepping in.
“The T20 team seems pretty settled with the guys that have come in; they’ve done some great stuff. Nathan Ellis is flying, Ben Dwarshuis has played a great role, Spencer (Johnson) has done some good stuff when he’s played, Sean Abbott as well… I feel like that team is in a great spot and I don’t need to interrupt that,” he said.
He is now looking forward to the three-match home ODI series against India and a potential Sheffield Shield appearance before the Ashes.
“The three one-dayers (against India) are a nice, controlled lead-in to five Test matches, 10 overs a game, time on the legs, they’re not a day after each other. Some Shield games can be added to that schedule. (But) I think it’s important not to have a concrete way of thinking,” he said.
“At times we haven’t had time for a Shield game before (Test) summers, at times we’ve had time for one or two. But I’ve enjoyed them in the past and will probably look to play one this year.”
(With Agency Inputs)
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
September 06, 2025, 14:29 IST
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