Mitchell Starc opens up on Test cricket being his priority

Mitchell Starc has explained why he does not foresee continuing his international cricket career into his 40s, unlike James Anderson, who recently retired at the age of 41. Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has always placed a premium on representing his country, limiting his participation in franchise leagues to focus primarily on national duties. The Australian left-arm speedster who has achieved nearly everything in international cricket, remains driven by a desire for further success. His goals include excelling in prestigious tournaments such as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Champions Trophy, and the Ashes. Despite his impressive career and numerous accolades, the left-arm pacer emphasized that playing Test cricket continues to be his top priority. He has not set any specific plans for retirement from any format at this stage of his career.

However, at 34, Starc has voiced concerns about the demanding schedule of modern cricket, acknowledging that the rigorous calendar is taking a significant toll on his body. The intense workload and frequent matches contribute to the physical strain he experiences, which impacts his ability to sustain peak performance over an extended period. Starc’s candid reflections highlight the challenges faced by professional cricketers in balancing their careers with the physical demands of the sport, underscoring the need for careful management of their fitness and longevity in the game.

“I’ve been very lucky to play three formats for a very long time. How long that will continue, I’m not sure. The scheduling of three formats is getting harder and harder and finding blocks of time to spend time on my body is going to take away from others," Australia's premier left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc said in a recent interview. 

“Tests are still definitely the pinnacle for me and I think my body will play a part in that decision whenever it gets to it. I’m not someone like Jimmy who played until he was 40-odd and had incredible skills to swing it both ways. I’ve never been that bowler and there’s plenty of better bowlers around the country to fill that job. I’m really looking forward to this summer and I haven’t put any expiry date on anything just yet," he added.

The rivalry between Australia and England is widely regarded as the most iconic in Test cricket, with the Ashes series holding a prestigious place in the sport's history. Australia has maintained a strong hold on the Ashes urn since the 2017-2018 series, underscoring their dominance in this traditional contest. However, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which features Australia against India, has increasingly emerged as a marquee fixture in world cricket. This shift is largely attributed to India's impressive performances in recent years, which have elevated the significance of their clashes with Australia.

Mitchell Starc has weighed in on this burgeoning rivalry, suggesting that the level of competitiveness between the Ashes and the BGT is now comparable. As India prepares to tour Australia later this year to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Starc believes the series will be fiercely contested. The Sydney-born pacer anticipates a hard-fought five-match series, reflecting the high stakes and intense competition that have come to define these encounters. The BGT has grown in prominence, with both teams bringing a high level of skill and determination to the field, making each series a highly anticipated event in the cricketing calendar.

“It’s thrown it right on par with an Ashes series being [expanded to] five Tests. The Border-Gavaskar doesn’t have that length of history [as the Ashes] but I think the level of competitiveness between both trophies is on par. We’re currently one and two in the Test table so there will be a bit of spice to it," Starc concluded.