Australia’s fast-bowling hero Mitchell Starc has dropped a major hint about his international career before making his Big Bash League (BBL) return. Mitchell Starc made his future plans very clear, and Australian cricket fans now know exactly where the star fast bowler stands.
The left-arm pacer has ruled out any chance of playing Test cricket into his 40s and has no intention of following the long road taken by the modern-era legend of England, James Anderson. Starc believes his biggest strength is his pace, and he knows that this will not last forever.
No Bowling at 40: Mitchell Starc makes big call on his international career
He feels that as long as he can maintain his speed and contribute to the Australian cricket team, he will keep playing Tests and ODIs. The 35-year-old made it clear that once his body gives up, he will retire from the game.
Starc said that he is currently enjoying his game, but bowling at 40 is simply not part of his plan. Notably, the Australian star already retired from T20I cricket last year.
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Mitchell Starc was quoted as saying by AAP: “I won’t be bowling when I’m 40, no. Part of my role is my airspeed, and I’ve been able to hold on to that for five tests this summer. So, whilst I’m still doing that and playing that role for the group, I love pulling on the Baggy Green and going out with some of my close mates. That’s going to change at some point, and my body will let me know before anything else, I’d say, but I won’t be bowling at 40.”
Ashes Hero Mitchell Starc ready for BBL return after 11 years
After playing a huge role in Australia’s dominant Ashes 2025-26 victory over England at home, the fast bowler still has unfinished business this summer. Starc is set to make his long-awaited BBL comeback with the Sydney Sixers. He will play his first BBL match after 11 years against Sydney Thunder at the SCG on January 16 and is currently training with the squad.
The excitement is high as Starc looks forward to facing familiar opponents and helping the Sixers push for another win over their city rivals. Even after a long and demanding international season, Starc feels he still has enough energy left to handle a short burst of T20 cricket.
The pacer added, “I’ve got two months to rest after the Big Bash. There’s still enough in the tank to get through T20 cricket for another couple of weeks, and then I can put my feet up.”
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No franchise cricket pull for Mitchell Starc
However, Mitchell Starc has also hinted that there is no guarantee of him returning to the Big Bash League in the future, as he wants to play as much as possible for the Australian team. Australia’s next Test assignment is still months away, with a series against Bangladesh lined up in August in Mackay and Darwin.
That tour will begin a very busy phase for the Australian team, and Starc has made it clear that playing for Australia, especially in Test cricket, remains his top priority. The pacer has stayed away from much franchise cricket throughout his career, and this will not change going forward.
He signed off by saying, “Cricket for Australia is still my priority. Test matches are still my priority. If you look down the road, post-IPL if you like … there’s no shortage of cricket for Australia, and that’s certainly my priority. I haven’t played a lot of franchise cricket throughout my career, so I don’t think that’s going to change much.”
