Fast bowler announces T20I retirement as Australia name squad

Australian men’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20 International cricket.

Starc's announcement came on Tuesday morning Australian time, with the side naming a squad for their October series in New Zealand in the build-up to T20 World Cup 2026.

Starc 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. Only leg-spinner Adam Zampa has more wickets in T20I's for the Australian men's team.

The left-arm fast bowler was integral in Australia's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 victory, though at 35 years of age the speedster aims to shift his focus to the two longer formats.

“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority," Starc said upon his announcement.

“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.

“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.”

National chief of selectors George Bailey led the tributes for Starc in the short format.

"Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia," Bailey said.

"He was an integral member of the 2021 World Cup winning side and, as across all his cricket, had a great skill for blowing games open with his wicket taking ability.

"We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for a long as possible."

Starc made his T20 international debut in 2012, only missing one World Cup in the format after injury denied him the opportunity in Australia's 2016 campaign in India.

Australia will also be without Pat Cummins for the upcoming series, with the right-armer nursing a back injury, while Nathan Ellis is also missing as he stays home on paternity leave.

Scans this week on Cummins revealed lumbar bone stress, with the 32-year-old also set to sit out Australia's home white-ball matches against India across October and November in a bid to be fit for the upcoming Ashes series.

Australian T20 Squad for New Zealand series:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Kuhnemann