Prolific Australian fast-bowler Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20I cricket, the 35-year-old announced on Tuesday. Starc, who has not played a T20I since the 2024 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, will remain available for Tests, ODIs and domestic T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League.
“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” Starc said in a statement. “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.
“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.
Having made his T20I debut in 2012, Starc quickly established himself as one of the shortest format’s most devastating bowlers. He played in five of Australia’s next six ICC events in the format (he missed the 2016 World T20 due to injury) and was vital in the side breaking their title drought in 2021, beating New Zealand in the final in Dubai.
Starc retires as the leading men’s T20I wicket-taker among Australian pacers. He has 79 scalps in T20 Internationals from 65 games, and only spinner Adam Zampa (130) has more wickets than Starc among Australian bowlers in T20I.
Transition period
Australia have been going through a major transition period where David Warner retired from all formats last year, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis have all retired from ODIs this year.
Australia chief selector George Bailey said Strac should be proud of his T20 career.
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“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,” said Bailey.
“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 a long as possible,” he added.
