Mitchell Starc announces sudden T20I retirement to focus on Test and ODI career

On Tuesday, September 2, Australian star pacer Mitchell Starc announced his T20I retirement to focus on his Test and ODI career. Notably, the seamer has pocketed 79 wickets in 65 T20Is, emerging as the second all-time leading wicket-taker for Australia behind Adam Zampa.

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Speaking about his retirement, Starc told the media that the longest format of the game has always been his priority. With the away Test tour, Ashes and an ODI World Cup 2027 scheduled, he added that it’s the best time for him to stay afresh to give his best in the above-mentioned campaigns. 

“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.

Furthermore, the Australian chief selector George Bailey has opened up on Starc’s incredibly proud T20 career for Australia, calling him an integral member of the T20 World Cup 2021 winning side.

“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.

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In Starc’s absence, Bailey has announced the T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour, scheduled to start on Wednesday, October 1 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead the 14-man Australian squad.

The squad also includes the left-armer Ben Dwarshuis, a standout against South Africa, alongside Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott. Nathan Ellis misses the tour for the birth of his and wife Connie’s first child.

Mitch Owen returns from being concussed in the second game against South Africa with Matt Short named to return from a side strain. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis returns to the squad.

It’s worth noting that the Cricket Australia media statement revealed that Pat Cummins will miss the series as part of his ongoing management plan leading into the summer. Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour.

“Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months,” the CA statement read.

“Cummins won’t be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation,” it concluded.

Australian T20I Squad for New Zealand series:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Kuhnemann.

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