- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sat, 06 Sep 2025 05:15 PM (IST)
- Source:PTI
Australia's frontline pace bowler Mitchell Starc believes he still has a lot left in him to play Test and ODI cricket, saying he is ready to "milk" his body to achieve more success in the longest format of the game.
Starc, 35, recently announced his retirement from T20Is in a move to keep himself ready for the Ashes, IPL, an away Test series in India, and the ODI World Cup in two years' time.
The decision means the left-handed quick, who has in the past skipped the Indian Premier League to preserve energies for international assignments, will not play the T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka early next year.
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"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," Starc was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"I just felt like one of the other (formats) had to give. 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 (in 2027)."
Starc had played a pivotal role in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE where Australia won their maiden world title in the format.
"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.
