New Delhi: Australian frontline seamer Mitchell Starc has said that there is still a lot left in him to play in the Test and ODI format and he is ready
to milk his body to get the best out of it in the coming future. The 35-year-old Australian quick recently announced his retirement from the shortest format in a move to keep himself ready for the Ashes, IPL, an away Test series in India and the ODI World Cup in 2027.
The decision means that the left-handed bowler, who skipped the Indian Premier League in the past to conserve energies for the international assignments, will not play the T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka early in the next year. Starc, who was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au, said that for lack of a better term, he wants to milk his body as as he can for Test cricket.
‘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).’
During the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, Starc had played a pivotal role where Australian won their maiden 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.
If the Aussie quick plays the 2027 World Cup, he could finish his career as one of greatest ODI World Cup bowlers of all-time.
