Selectors Name New Faces as Starc Steps Aside

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has called time on his T20I career, saying he wants to prioritise the longer formats of the game. The 34-year-old left-armer finishes as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 79 wickets in 65 matches.

Starc explained that Test cricket had always been his main goal and pointed to the Ashes, tours of India, and the 2027 ODI World Cup as milestones he wishes to prepare for. He said the decision would also give younger bowlers an opportunity to settle before next year’s T20 World Cup.

He played a vital role in Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup triumph and described that campaign as one of the highlights of his career.

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George Bailey, Australia’s chair of selectors, praised Starc’s ability to change matches with decisive spells, while Cricket Australia’s CEO Todd Greenberg said his choice reflected a team-first approach.

With Starc stepping aside, selectors named a 14-man squad for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand. The squad includes Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott and Mitchell Marsh as captain. Marcus Stoinis and Matt Short return from injury, while Nathan Ellis misses the series due to family reasons.

Although his T20 career has ended, Starc remains central to Australia’s Test and ODI ambitions, with selectors relying on his experience for future campaigns.