“Should Have Called Mitchy”: Mitchell Starc Opens Up on Retirement Announcement

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Cric News India

September 5, 2025 0 463

Mitchell Starc admitted he should have personally informed his teammates about his retirement instead of them finding out on social media.

Mitchell Starc has retired from T20 internationals, ending a career that saw him feature in 65 matches for Australia. The left-arm pacer, part of the 2021 T20 World Cup-winning squad, decided to step away to focus on extending his Test and ODI career. His announcement came as a surprise to fans and even to captain Mitchell Marsh, who reportedly learnt about it on social media.

Starc confirmed that he informed head coach Andrew McDonald but admitted he did not directly tell Marsh.

“I did let them know, I did not ask them. I spoke to Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) and then told the two of them that I was done. Yeah, that was about it. I probably should have rang Mitchy,” cricket.com.au quoted Starc as saying.

“I felt bad because he texted me and said he found out through Instagram. So, I felt bad about that one. Sorry, Mitchy. Didn’t tell the captain,” he continued.

“To be part of that campaign was really special and with a lot of guys who played a lot of T20 cricket together,” Starc added.

Mitchell Starc then explained that his T20I retirement was aimed at prolonging his Test and ODI career, with the 2027 World Cup firmly in his plans. He underlined that Test cricket remains his top priority, but he is determined to manage his workload wisely to remain effective in limited-overs cricket.

READ ALSO | Starc Announces Retirement From T20I Cricket To Prioritize ODIs and Tests

“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. I’d thought about it for a while. I feel like it was probably a good time. I’m 35 now. Tests have always been my priority, and they will remain my priority,” he said.

“For lack of a better term, I want to milk my body as much as I can for as much Test cricket as possible,” said Starc. “That was never going to be off the table. I just felt like one of the other (formats) had to give,” Starc continued.

“I feel like I’ve got plenty to offer the ODI team, and with that goal of getting my body to 2027 – but also being good enough to be in that team for the World Cup in 2027. I felt like this was my best opportunity to prolong my Test career and get to that World Cup,” he added.

Notably, a strong showing through to 2027 could give him the chance to surpass Glenn McGrath as the leading wicket-taker in World Cups.