Mitchell Starc announces retirement from T20Is

Australian speedster and T20 World Cup 2021 winning member, Mitchell Starc, has decided to bid adieu to T20Is to focus on his Test and ODI career. In 65 T20Is, Starc has racked up 79 wickets to emerge as the second all-time leading wicket-taker for Australia behind Adam Zampa.

On Tuesday, Starc attended the press conference to announce his sudden decision, asserting that the longest format of the game has always been his priority. With a lot of important ODI and Test campaigns lined up, Starc stated that he would love to stay fresh.

“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.

Also, the Australian chief selector, George Bailey, has heaped praise on the Aussie seamer, stating that Starc should be incredibly proud of his T20I career for his country, adding that he played a pivotal role for Australia in the T20 World Cup 2021 title win.

“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.

Bailey has also announced the 14-man T20I squad for the forthcoming New Zealand tour, which will be led by Mitchell Marsh. The three-match T20I series is scheduled to start on Wednesday, October 1, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

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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