Home
Australia's left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20Is, months ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India. Starc has stepped away from T20Is to focus on Test and ODI cricket.
"Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority," Starc said in a statement.
"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.
"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."
The announcement comes ahead of the T20I series against New Zealand next month.
Australia's chief selector George Bailey lauded Starc's contribution to Australia's T20I team. He is pleased that the veteran pacer remains committed to ODIs and Tests.
"Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia," George Bailey said.
"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.
"We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for a long as possible."
Starc’s first and last T20I appearance
Starc’s last T20I appearance was against India in T20 World Cup 2024 group stage match where he bagged two wickets for 45 runs in a losing cause. He was hit for four sixes and a four by then India captain Rohit Sharma. It was Starc's most expensive over in T20Is. He made his T20I debut against Pakistan in 2012 where he claimed one wicket and conceded just 17 runs from four overs.
Starc’s T20I numbers
Starc is a T20 World Cup 2021-winning member. From 65 T20Is, the 35-year-old has 79 wickets at an average of 23.81, including one four-wicket haul. He retires as Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, only behind leg-spinner Adam Zampa (130 wickets).
ADVERTISEMENT
