Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20Is in order to prioritise Australia's heavy Test schedule from late next year and the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Starc, 35, played 65 T20Is after making his debut in 2012 and was part of the Australia side that won the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. He last featured in the format at the 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean and has retired six months before the next edition in India and Sri Lanka. His 79 T20I wickets currently puts him second for Australia with his best of 4 for 20 coming against West Indies in 2022.
"Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority," Starc said. "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.
From mid-2026 Australia face a hectic run in Test cricket including a home series against Bangladesh, a tour of South Africa, a four-match series against New Zealand, five Tests away in India in January 2027, the one-off 150th anniversary match against England at the MCG and then an away Ashes in mid-2027.
The ODI World Cup, which will be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will be held in October and November 2027 with Australia the defending champions.
"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," Starc said. "It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament."
At his best in T20Is, Starc was able to find new-ball swing and execute his yorker at various stages of an innings. His pace may be the toughest aspect to replace as Australia build towards next year's World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, although the team have won 14 out of 17 matches since Starc last featured.
"I'm not sure we're going to find someone swinging the new ball at 145kph an hour," chair of selectors George Bailey said. "So it might not necessarily be a like-for-like replacement. Traditionally he's taken the new ball and been able to bowl some clutch overs at the death at the right time.
"So have we exposed the type of players who might be able to fill that. I think Nathan Ellis become a really integral member of that T20 side. I'm seeing some really good stuff from Ben Dwarshuis in particular. Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett have also had opportunities there as well. I'm not sure we're going to replace Starcy, but it might just be some slight shifting of roles.
"I think his record does speak for itself. The thing that I am probably most excited about is that he will continue to play Test cricket and one-day cricket, hopefully for a longer period of time."
Starc's announcement came as Australia named their latest T20I squad for the three-match series against New Zealand in early October. Cameron Green will miss the trip across the Tasman so he can play the opening round of the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia which could see him return to bowling.
Nathan Ellis will also be absent for the birth of his and wife Connie's first child. Matt Short, who missed both recent series against West Indies and South Africa due to a side injury, returns as does Mitchell Owen who suffered a concussion in Darwin last month. Marcus Stoinis, who came to an agreement with the selectors over his availability, is back in the squad after not being selected for the last two series and playing in the Hundred.
Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa