"I want to milk my body as much as I can…"- Mitchell Starc terms test cricket as his priority

Mitchell Starc recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket.

Pacer Mitchell Starc said that test cricket is his priority and he will give his best for Australia in the format in the coming years. The 35-year-old recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket.

He will continue to focus on ODIs and tests. Starc will also continue to play in franchise T20 leagues. The left-arm pacer played 65 T20Is from 2012 to 2024.

He clinched 79 wickets at an average of 23.81 and an economy of 7.74. Starc was part of the Australian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. His T20I retirement came about five months ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Tests have always been my priority and will remain my priority: Mitchell Starc

While speaking to Cricket Australia, Starc said that test cricket has always been his priority. He also added that he has plenty to offer in ODI cricket.

“I’m 35 now, Tests have always been my priority and they will remain my priority. For lack of a better term, I want to milk my body as much as I can for as much Test cricket as possible. That was never going to be off the table,” he said.

“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,” he added.

The veteran pacer looks forward to playing in ICC ODI World Cup 2027. He feels that hanging boots in T20I format was a good step to prolong his career in other formats.

“I just felt like one of the other formats had to give. I feel like I’ve got plenty to offer the ODI team, 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 said.

Meanwhile, Starc will be next seen in the ODI series against India in October. Moreover, he will be a crucial member of the pace unit during The Ashes 2025-26. The much-awaited test series will commence on November 21.

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