Mitchell Starc targets 100 Tests instead of Indian Premier League riches
- Lindokuhle Mbuyisa
- 6 June 2023
Australia seamer Mitchell Starc has expressed his desire to play 100 test matches for the Aussies instead of playing in other more lucrative formats of the game.
Australian seamer Mitchell Starc will snub other playing formats in order to prolong his Test career and reach 100 matches for his country.
The 33-year-old has only featured in two Indian Premier League editions for Royal Challengers Bangalore, making his last appearance in 2015.
"To choose not to do certain things to prolong playing for Australia, I've tried to be smart about that," said the paceman.
"Yeah, the money's nice, but I'd love to play 100 Test matches. Whether I get there or not, I don't know, but that would be a nice one to tick off. Hopefully, there's a little bit left in me."
Starc has already played in 77 Test Matches for his country since his debut in 2011, taking 306 wickets at an average of 27.52 and is wary of the toll of playing in all formats of the game.
"To play three formats for over 10 years, it's been a lot of pain along the way, but I'm grateful I've gotten that far. Whilst I've tried to add to the bow, as soon as I lose airspeed, there's going to be someone chasing me. Once that next left-armer is coming through, yeah, I'm sure I'll know when I know," he added.
The Aussies will be hoping their left-arm seamer is in sparkling form when they take on India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval, which is scheduled to start tomorrow (7-11 June).
A victory for Australia in the final will see Starc join an exclusive list of cricketers who have won ICC titles in all formats.
