Australia’s fast bowling hero Mitchell Starc has dropped a big hint about his international career ahead of his return to the Big Bash League (BBL). Mitchell Starc made his future plans very clear and Australian cricket fans now know where the star fast bowler stands.
The left-arm fast bowler has ruled out any possibility of playing Test cricket after the age of 40 and has no intention of following the long path taken by England’s modern-era great James Anderson. Stark believes his greatest strength is his speed and he knows it will not last forever.
No bowling at the age of 40: Mitchell Starc takes a big decision on his international career
He believes that as long as he can maintain his pace and contribute to the Australian cricket team, he will keep playing Tests and ODIs. The 35-year-old player made it clear that he will retire from the game once his body fails him.
Starc said he is enjoying his game at the moment, but bowling at the age of 40 is not part of his plans. Notably, the Australian star had retired from T20I cricket only last year.
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AAP quoted Mitchell Starc as saying, “I won’t be bowling when I’m 40, no. Part of my role is my airspeed, and I’ve been able to maintain that for five Tests this summer. So, while I’m still doing that and playing that role for the group, I love wearing 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 I do anything, I I will say, but I will say that I will not bowl at the age of 40.”
Ashes hero Mitchell Starc ready for BBL return after 11 years
After playing a big role in Australia’s key Ashes 2025-26 win over England on home soil, 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 on January 16 against Sydney Thunder at the SCG and is currently training with the team.
Excitement is high as Starc is eager to face familiar opponents and help the Sixers pick up another win over their city rivals. Even after a long and tough international season, Starc feels he still has enough energy left to handle the shorter rounds of T20 cricket.
“After the Big Bash, I have two months to rest. There is still plenty of time to spend a few more weeks in T20 cricket and then I can find my feet,” the fast bowler said.
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No franchise cricket pull for Mitchell Starc
However, Mitchell Starc has also indicated that there is no guarantee of his return 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 match is still several months away, with a series against Bangladesh in Mackay and Darwin in August.
That tour will mark the beginning of a very busy period for the Australian team and Starc has made it clear that playing for Australia, especially in Test cricket, will remain his top priority. The fast bowler has mostly stayed away from franchise cricket throughout his career and there will be no change in this going forward.
“Cricket for Australia is still my priority. Test matches are still my priority. If you look ahead, after the IPL if you like… there is no dearth of cricket for Australia, and that’s definitely my priority. I haven’t played a lot of franchise cricket in my entire career, so I don’t think it’s going to change much,” he said.
