Mitchell Starc retires from T20Is with immediate effect; set to focus on Tests & ODIs

Australia’s T20 World Cup 2021 winning member, Mitchell Starc, has called it quits from T20Is to focus on his Test and ODI career with multiple away tours, Ashes, and ODI World Cup 2027 line-up.

Starc has picked up 79 wickets from 65 T20Is to emerge as the second all-time leading wicket-taker for Australia behind Adam Zampa. Speaking to the media, the star seamer stated that the bowling group will get enough time to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026.

“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority. 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,” Starc told the media.

“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.

George Bailey, the Australian chief selector, has praised the Australian pacer, acknowledging the seamer’s T20I career, and at the same time, he supported Starc’s move to focus on Tests and ODI formats.

“Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia. He was an integral member of the 2021 World Cup winning side and, as across all his cricket, had a great skill for blowing games open with his wicket taking ability,” Chair of national selectors George Bailey said.

“We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focussed on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for a long as possible,” he added.

Furthermore, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg heaped praise on Starc’s T20 career and decision to focus on Test and ODI cricket for the foreseeable future. He also hailed Starc’s ‘team first’ attitude. 

“It’s important to Mitch at this time of his career to make decisions which allow him to extend his Test and ODI careers as long as possible, which we fully support,” Todd Greenberg said.

“Mitch has prioritised playing for his country and made significant sacrifices. To allow the next crop of fast bowlers a clear path to the T20 World Cup early next year is another example of putting team first,” he concluded.

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