Starc Set to Bid Farewell to ODIs, Focus on Test Career

Starc Set to Bid Farewell to ODIs, Focus on Test Career

Web Desk
November 13, 2023

Starc Set to Bid Farewell to ODIs, Focus on Test Career

Mitchell Starc to retire from ODIs after ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final.
Starc to prioritize Test cricket over ODIs.
Last ODI expected in February 2024 vs West Indies.

In a surprising announcement, Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has confirmed that he will be retiring from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final clash against South Africa on November 16 in Kolkata. Starc, a crucial part of Australia’s bowling arsenal, expressed his commitment to Test cricket, stating that he would prioritize Test matches over ODIs in the future.

Starc, with an impressive record of 230 ODI wickets in 119 matches, cited his age as a factor in his decision, noting that he would be 37 by the time of the next World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. While he won’t be immediately retiring from ODIs, he anticipates his last ODI appearance to be during the ODI series against West Indies scheduled for February 2024.

The 2015 World Cup winner addressed reporters in Kolkata, saying, “I’ve always maintained that Test cricket is the top of the tree for me, and I’ll drop off the rest before I let go of Test cricket. For me, [the semi-final] is just another one-day game for Australia; it’s not the end of the road in one-day cricket as yet for me.”

Despite a relatively average performance in the current World Cup, where Starc has secured 10 wickets, compared to his standout performances in the 2015 and 2019 tournaments with 22 and 27 wickets respectively, he remains determined to contribute to Australia’s success in the semi-final against South Africa and aims to reach the final in Ahmedabad on November 19.

“I certainly haven’t been at the level I would have liked… or not the same level as the last two World Cups anyway, but now a chance at the pointy end to impact again,” Starc said. He acknowledged the challenges faced by bowlers in the World Cup, particularly with two new balls and batting-friendly conditions, emphasizing the need for bowlers to adapt and find ways to take wickets.

As Starc prepares for what could be his last ODI match, cricket enthusiasts are left to reflect on the legacy of the seasoned pacer in the limited-overs format, while eagerly anticipating his continued contributions to Australian cricket in the Test arena.

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