September 2, Tuesday: Mitchel Starc announced his retirement from T20I internationals on 2nd September 2025, just six months before the T20I World Cup.
He concluded his T20 career as the number one wicket taker in the T20I format for the Kangaroos with 79 wickets in 65 matches. He decided to give more focus to test cricket, stating that test cricket has always and had been his priority.
The Aussie legend says, “Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority. 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.”
Former Australian captain and Chief Selector George Bailey say, “We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the appropriate time, but it is pleasing that he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for as long as possible.” Also, he stated that this decision will open doors for young talents such as Nathan EEllis andBen Dwarshius.
Todd Greenberg, the ceo of Australian cricket, recognized Starc's selfless thinking and says, “To allow the next crop of fast bowlers a clear path to the T20 World Cup early next year is another example of putting team first.”
The ongoing transition phase in Australian cricket
The Aussie team is currently going through a transition as a few veteran players, such as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and, right now, Mitchel Starc, have taken retirement from at least one format.
This transition phase began when David Warner and Aaron Finch retired from international cricket. After their retirement, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis retired from One Day Internationals. However, Smith will be playing in the upcoming test series and will be one of the important players for them. Maxwell had just finished the T20I series against South Africa, and Marcus Stoinis is trying to find a place in both Test and T20I cricket.
Currently, the Aussie team is trying to find balance in the middle order after the departure of the destructive middle order Aussie middle order is struggling. They lost their last ODI series against South Africa, but rays of a bright future showed up when the Aussie batters put a massive 432 runs on the scoreboard.
