Mitchell Starc hints at retirement, mentions James Anderson's longevity
What's the story
Mitchell Starc, Australia's express left-arm pacer, has hinted at the possibility of his retirement in the near future. The 34-year-old cricketer is currently preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against India at home. Despite his ongoing struggles with injuries and admitting to playing while not fully fit, Starc has clarified that he does not envision a career as lengthy as England's legendary pacer James Anderson.
Career uncertainty
Starc acknowledges challenges of multi-format cricket
Starc expressed his uncertainty about the longevity of his career across all three formats. "I've been very lucky to play three formats for a very long time. How long that will continue, I'm not sure," he told The Sydney Morning Herald. The cricketer also acknowledged the increasing difficulty in managing the schedules for these formats and finding time to recover physically.
Retirement plans
Test cricket remains Starc's pinnacle
Starc emphasized his passion for Test cricket, stating it is still the pinnacle for him. He indicated that his physical condition would play a significant role in any retirement decision. "I'm not someone like Jimmy who played until he was 40-odd and had incredible skills to swing it both ways," said Starc, drawing a comparison with Anderson's lengthy career.
IPL return
Starc's IPL journey and upcoming series
Starc, who had previously opted out of several Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons to avoid injuries, made a comeback in 2024 as the most the expensive player ever. Despite initial struggles, he played a crucial role in their championship victory. Looking ahead to the Border-Gavaskar series, Starc compared it with the Ashes in terms of competitiveness. "Being five matches now it's probably right on par with an Ashes series," Starc told Wide World of Sports.
Role
Starc wants to extend his Test career
Starc will play a pivotal role in the impending home Test series against India. The Aussie pacer, who is 11 matches away from his 100th Test, has no plans to retire from red-ball cricket. He is reducing his white-ball commitments to extend his Test career as much as possible. "Every time I get to wear the baggy green cap it feels very special," he said. He also confirmed that he will be prioritizing Tests over other formats in the future.