T20I retirement best opportunity to prolong Test career & get to 2027 ODI WC: Starc

Australia’s star left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has explained that his decision to retire from T20 internationals was motivated by a desire to preserve his body for Test cricket, while also keeping an eye on playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Starc, who debuted in T20Is in 2012, announced his retirement from the format last week. He said the move was part of a long-term plan to extend his Test career while continuing in ODIs.

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“For lack of a better term, I want to milk my body as much as I can for as much Test cricket as possible. That was never going to be off the table. I just felt like one of the other (formats) had to give,” Starc told cricket.com.au.

“I feel like I’ve got plenty to offer the ODI team and with that goal of getting my body to 2027 but also being good enough to be in that team for the World Cup in 2027. I felt like this was my best opportunity to prolong my Test career and get to that World Cup.

“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. I’d thought about it for a while. I feel like it was probably a good time. I’m 35 now, Tests have always been my priority and they will remain my priority,” he added.

Starc also backed the current Australian T20I setup, confident that the team is well prepared ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“The T20 team seems pretty settled with the guys that have come in, they’ve done some great stuff. Nathan Ellis is flying, Ben Dwarshuis has played a great role, Spencer (Johnson) has done some good stuff when he’s played, Sean Abbott as well. I feel like that team is in a great spot and I don’t need to interrupt that.”

The pacer, however, admitted that he could have handled his retirement announcement better, and at least could have informed skipper Mitchell Marsh in advance about his decision.

“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.