Mitchell Starc suddenly announced his retirement, said- Test cricket is my top priority

By Cross Talk India Team Last updated Sep 2, 2025

The 35-year-old Stark played 65 T20 Internationals for Australia and was part of the T20 World Cup winning team in 2021. In this format, he was the last match for Australia in the 2024 World Cup game. Stark took 79 wickets and retired as Australia’s second most successful bowler in the format. In 2022, 4 wickets for 20 runs against West Indies were his best performance.

Australia was part of the team in five of the six T20 World Cups after making his debut against Pakistan in 2012, he could not play in the 2016 edition due to injury.

Australia’s Test schedule is very busy since mid -2026. Home series against Bangladesh, then South Africa tour and four Test series against New Zealand. A five -Test series against India in January 2027 and then the Ashes series in England.

The ODI World Cup is to be played on October-November 2027 hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and Australia is the current champion.

Stark said in a statement, “Test cricket has always been my top priority. I have enjoyed every minute of every T20 match played for Australia, especially 2021 World Cup, not just because we live, but also because we were an incredible team and more than what we enjoyed during this time.

Looking at the tour of India, Ashes and the ODI World Cup to be held in 2027, I think this is my best way to refreshed, fit and stay on my best performance for these campaigns. This also gives the bowling team time to prepare for the T20 World Cup matches to be held before that tournament. “