Cricket

Six months before the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Australia’s white-ball speed leader Mitchell Starc announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket in order to concentrate on prolonging his career in one-day and test cricket.With 79 wickets from 65 Twenty20 Internationals, the 35-year-old left-armer retires as the country’s most successful fast bowler in the format. He is ranked second on Australia’s all-time list, behind spin bowling partner Adam Zampa.His top goal has always been test cricket, he declared in a statement released by Cricket Australia on Tuesday. “I have enjoyed every second of every Twenty20 match I have played for Australia, especially the 2021 World Cup, not only because we won but also because of the amazing team and the fun we had.” “I believe this is the best course of action for me to stay fit, fresh, and at my best for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the Ashes, and an away Indian test tour.” In the games preceding the T20 World Cup, it also allows the bowling group time to get ready.  Australia’s T20I team, which was announced on Tuesday for the forthcoming series against New Zealand, did not include Starc.  The rangy, swing-bowling virtuoso will be difficult to replace, according to Selectors chairman George Bailey.  “We will miss his ability to bowl clutch overs at the end and make an impact early with the new ball,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “Very few people swing it at 145 kilometers per hour.  He also has excellent fielding. Although he won’t be replaced exactly, we have given Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and Xavier Bartlett important roles.  With nine wickets in seven games in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, Starc was instrumental in Australia’s first and only T20 World Cup victory.  Australia’s ambitions of winning another T20 World Cup next year are severely damaged by his retirement, which comes 13 years after his 2012 debut and continues to wind down a great generation of players.  Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis have all stepped away from the one-day game since opening batsman David Warner retired last year. Todd Greenberg, the manager of Cricket Australia, commended Starc for making “significant sacrifices” to represent his nation.  “It’s another example of putting team first to give the next generation of fast bowlers a clear route to the T20 World Cup early next year,” he said.