Mitchell Starc On T20I Retirement (Source: @cricketcomau/x.com)
An era in Australian cricket has ended as ace pacer Mitchell Starc has hung up his boots from the shortest format of the game. Creating a lasting legacy in the T20I format, he is now set to focus on the ODI and Test formats.
As the cricket world was in shock after Starc’s announcement, things were no different for Australia’s T20I captain, Mitchell Marsh. Starc admitted that Marsh only discovered the news through social media, as the pacer forgot to inform him personally.
Starc’s T20I Retirement Throws A Bouncer At Mitchell Marsh
Making his T20I debut back in 2012, ace Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc created an undisputed legacy in the shortest format. With 79 wickets in 65 T20I games, Starc delivered some match-winning performances for his nation. But the era has ended as he dropped curtains in his T20I career, and the cricket world remained in shock at his bold step ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
But Starc threw a bouncer, even after his retirement. The twist is that the bouncer was aimed at his own T20I captain, Mitchell Marsh. In a chat with Cricket Australia, the speedster admitted he never informed Marsh about the decision, leaving the captain to find out only after the news broke.
“I probably should have rang Mitchy. He texted me and said he found out through Instagram. I felt bad about that one - I didn't tell the captain,” he said.
A Lot To Offer In The Big Stage Of The 2027 World Cup
Mitchell Starc’s spontaneous move before the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026 sparked eyebrows. However, a bigger challenge lies ahead as the ODI World Cup is approaching in 2027. Having already tasted glory in the last edition, the Aussie speedster believes he still has plenty left to contribute to Australia’s ODI campaign.
“umm-ed and ahh-ed about which was the right (format) to put to the side. If I wasn't going to be in the frame for 2027 then I didn't want to hold up the spot. I still feel like I've got plenty to offer that ODI team,” he added.
As Starc has always been hailed for his greatness, his ODI records are as promising as the longest format. In 127 games, he secured 244 scalps with ac strike rate of 26.68. With the next World Cup on the horizon, the fiery left-armer now has his eyes firmly set on adding another trophy to Australia’s cabinet.
