Mitchell Starc disclosed that he had not given a notice to Australia T20I captain Mitchell Marsh that he was retiring. The 35-year old startled the cricket fraternity by quitting the shortest format on Tuesday, September 2. He is determined to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup and remains physically fit to play Test cricket.
Cricket fans were very interested in Starc’s news, but some of his teammates were caught off surprise. The left-arm seamer told Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, his fast-bowling partners, and head coach Andrew McDonald, but he acknowledged that he should have told Marsh as well. Social media was how the star all-rounder learned of Starc’s retirement.
“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. Sorry, Mitchy,” Starc told Cricket.com.au.
“I did let them know, I did not ask them. I spoke to Ronnie (Andrew McDonald), and then told the two of them, I was done. Yeah, that was about it.”
Mitchell Starc
At a strike rate of 18.46 and an average of 23.81, Starc finished with 79 wickets from 65 Twenty20 Internationals. At a respectable economy rate of 7.74, he bowled his overs. In the shortest format, the Baulkham Hills native finished as the Men in Yellow’s second-highest wicket-taker. He participated in five T20 World Cups and was instrumental in Aaron Finch’s team winning the coveted championship in 2021.
Australia Announce T20I Squad for New Zealand Tour as Starc Retires
Australia announced their squad for the three-match T20I trip of New Zealand at the same time as Starc’s retirement. The eagerly awaited series premieres on October 1. Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval will host all three games.
The Australians will miss Cameron Green who has been given a chance to focus on Sheffield Shield cricket. Nathan Ellis will not however be taking part in the series due to personal reasons. Marcus Stoinis, an all-rounder with plenty of experience who has been away on recent trips, has joined the squad with Matthew Short and Mitchell Owen.
