Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20 international cricket on 2nd Spetember. Starc wants to focus on his Test and ODI career. “Test cricket is my highest priority,” the 35-year-old stated. He ruled himself out of the T20 World Cup in February-March. “I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia. I especially loved the 2021 World Cup,” he added.
Starc was a part of the World Cup winning Australian team. He has played 65 matches for his country in T20 format. His 79 wickets in T20Is make him the second highest for Australia after Adam Zampa. Starc steps away with a busy schedule to come. There is a home Ashes series starting later this year. Additionally, a one-day World Cup is on the horizon.
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“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. This path allows me to remain fresh. I can stay fit and at my best for those campaigns,” said Starc. “It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup. They can use the matches leading into that tournament for preparation,” he added.
Starc to Focus on Test Match and ODI
His announcement came as Australia named their squad for an upcoming T20 series against New Zealand. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said, “to allow the next crop of fast bowlers a clear path. This clear path is crucial to the T20 World Cup early next year. It is another example of putting team first”.
“It’s important to Mitch at this time of his career to make decisions. These decisions should allow him to extend his Test and ODI careers as long as possible. We fully support this,” he added. In July, Starc produced a devastating opening spell. The West Indies were demolished for 27. This was the second-lowest score in Test history. Starc also reached the landmark of 400 Test wickets.
“Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “He was an integral member of the 2021 World Cup winning side. Across all his cricket, he had a great skill for blowing games open with his wicket-taking ability,” Bailey said.
“We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for as long as possible,” he added
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