Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has declared his intention to step away from white-ball cricket before considering retirement from the red-ball format. Despite achieving an impressive record of 230 ODI wickets at an average of 23.17, Starc is resolute in his decision not to participate in the next World Cup.
Emphasising that Test cricket holds the highest priority for him, he asserted that he would give up other formats before letting go of Test cricket. Expressing his views in Kolkata, Starc mentioned, “While I plan to continue playing beyond this period, I don’t foresee myself being part of the next World Cup. I’ve never envisioned that.
A four-year commitment is significant. Test cricket has always been my top priority, and I am willing to step back from other formats before considering leaving Test cricket. The upcoming semi-final is just another one-day game for Australia; it does not mark the end of my one-day cricket journey.
Star has scalped ten wickets with an economy rate of 6.55 till now, and reflecting on his performance, Starc feels that he hasn’t been able to perform to his potential.
“I certainly haven’t been at the level I would have liked—or not the same level as the last two World Cups anyway—but now there is a chance at the pointy end to impact again. Certainly bowling first on particular wickets, the new ball with two fielders out, I think, has been almost the hardest time to bowl. You get a bit of an understanding of the wicket as the game goes on. That’s not a sob story; that’s the nature of one-day cricket,” Starc said.
