Starc retires from T20S to concentrate on Test cricket and the 2027 ODI World Cup

Starc retires from T20S to concentrate on Test cricket and the 2027 ODI World Cup

Australia’s white-ball pacer Mitchell Starc has retired from Twenty20 internationals to focus on extending his career in test and one-day cricket. The 35-year-old left-armer retires with 79 wickets from 65 T20Is.

Mitchell Starc has announced that he’s retiring from T20 international cricket. He made this decision to focus more on Test matches and prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Starc said he wants to stay fresh and fit for the busy schedule ahead, especially with important Test series and the World Cup coming up.

Starc, who is 35 years old, has played 65 T20Is since his debut in 2012. He was part of the Australian team that won the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. His last T20I appearance was during the 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean. He’s retiring six months before the next T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. With 79 wickets, he’s currently Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. His best performance was 4 wickets for 20 runs against the West Indies in 2022.

Starc said that Test cricket has always been his top priority. He shared how much he enjoyed playing T20S for Australia, especially the 2021 World Cup, not just because they won, but because of the great team spirit and fun they had together.

From mid-2026, Australia will have a packed Test schedule. They’ll play at home against Bangladesh, tour South Africa, face New Zealand in a four-match series, and then head to India for five Tests in January 2027. After that, there’s a special one-off match against England at the MCG to celebrate 150 years of Test cricket, followed by an Ashes series in England. The ODI World Cup will take place in October and November 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with Australia defending their title.

Starc explained that stepping away from T20Is now will help him stay in top shape for these major events. It also gives other bowlers time to prepare for the next T20 World Cup. He was known for swinging the ball early and bowling fast yorkers, which made him a key player in T20S. His pace will be hard to replace, but Australia has done well recently, winning 14 out of 17 matches since his last appearance.

Selector George Bailey said it might be tough to find someone who can swing the ball at 145 km/h like Starc. Instead of looking for a direct replacement, they might adjust roles within the team. He mentioned Nathan Ellis as an important part of the T20 squad, and praised Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and Xavier Bartlett for their performances. Bailey added that while Starc’s T20 career was impressive, he’s excited that Starc will continue playing Tests and ODIs for a longer time.

Starc’s retirement was announced as Australia revealed their squad for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand in October. Cameron Green will miss the series to play in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia, which could help him return to bowling. Nathan Ellis will also be absent as he and his wife Connie, are expecting their first child. Matt Short is back after missing the recent series due to injury, and Mitchell Owen returns after recovering from a concussion. Marcus Stoinis is also back in the squad after reaching an agreement with selectors and playing in The Hundred.

Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand

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