Australia’s left-arm pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has officially announced his retirement from T20 Internationals (T20Is), just months before the 2026 T20 World Cup. Starc, who last featured in the format during the 2024 edition of the tournament, was widely expected to be a key part of Australia’s T20 campaign once again. However, the veteran fast bowler has decided to step away from the shortest format to focus on Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Starc Admits to Overlooking T20 Captain Mitchell Marsh
In a light-hearted admission, Starc revealed that he forgot to personally inform T20I captain Mitchell Marsh about his decision. Instead, Marsh learned about it through social media.
“I probably should have rung 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.
Before finalizing his decision, Starc had discussions with fellow pace bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and head coach Andrew McDonald. However, the oversight in not reaching out to the skipper directly drew a bit of laughter — and perhaps some surprise — from fans and teammates alike.
Starc Chooses Longevity and Focus on Tests and ODIs
At 35, Mitchell Starc admitted that choosing which white-ball format to give up wasn’t easy. The departure of Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell from ODI cricket added further complexity to his decision-making process. Ultimately, his ambition to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup influenced his retirement from T20Is.
“I 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,” Starc explained.
Test cricket remains his top priority, a format where he has long been a key figure for Australia. With more control over workload management, stepping back from T20Is will allow Starc to prolong his career in the longer formats.
As a result of his retirement, Starc will not feature in the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on October 1. However, fans can still see him in action when Australia takes on India in a three-match ODI series, starting October 19 in Perth.
With this move, Australia will be looking to groom a new crop of T20 bowlers ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, while Starc aims to leave a lasting legacy in the 50-over and Test formats.
