MELBOURNE: Australia's left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc announcement retirement from T20I to extend his Test career and set sights on 2027 ODI World Cup.
The 35-year-old, who has not played a T20I since last year's World Cup in the Caribbean, will remain available for Tests, ODIs and domestic T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League.
The speedster, who featured 65 times for Australia in the shortest format, taking 79 wickets at an economy of 7.74, and at an average of 23.81,
bows out as the leading men's T20I wicket taker among Australian quicks. Only spinner Adam Zampa (130) has more than Starc's 79 T20I victims.
"Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority. I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way, " Starc said in a statement.
"Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.
"It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament, " he added.
His career highlight in the format came at the 2021 World Cup when Australia won their first men's T20 title.