LONDON: Mitchell Starc, one of the best pacers of the current age, keeps away from franchise cricket, including the IPL, regardless of the handsome money on offer as he wants to be at his BEST playing for Australia.
Starc places a high value on representing Australia in Test cricket, and he believes that many young people will take this road in the future. Many of Starc's coworkers have participated in international T20 competitions like the IPL and Big Bash, but the left-arm bowler has avoided the allure.
"I liked it [the IPL], and I liked my time at Yorkshire ten years ago, but Australia will always be first," the speaker said. Money may come and go, but I have no regrets about anything because I'm glad for the opportunities I've had, Starc told The Guardian.
Less than 500 players have played Test cricket for Australia over the past 100 years; that fact alone makes it an extremely remarkable experience.
"The traditionalist in me still believes that there is a generation of young people who desire to play Test cricket for their nation. Franchise cricket, however, offers quick money and a fast pathway to fame, he continued.
The 33-year-old is certain that Test cricket will continue to be his first priority for the foreseeable future. He last played franchise cricket in 2015 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. "I'd certainly love to play in the IPL again, but my goal for a long time has been to be at my best for Australia, no matter the format," Starc said.
On June 11, Australia defeated India by 209 runs to win their first World Test Championship. The Australian team has now won every ICC trophy after also taking home the ODI, T20, and Champions Trophy championships.
"Franchise cricket is amazing, but you can be bought, sold, or swapped in a year, but this is a chance—playing tests—that I've been privileged to enjoy for more than ten years now...To be able to play on the baggy green among many of my close friends, players I've played the game with my whole life," Starc said.
Starc praised England for transforming Test cricket by using the Bazball while led by captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, but he questioned if they would be able to do it in the Ashes against a strong bowling lineup like Australia.
"Will they still be so aggressive with the Ashes on the line if we get classic English surfaces, which nip around, and if the overhead conditions play a part? We'll probably find out, Starc said.
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