“Australia will always sit at the top”: Mitchell Starc on playing franchise cricket or IPL

Mitchell Starc, one of the best pacers of the current age, avoids franchise cricket, including the Indian Premier League, despite the lucrative money on offer because he prefers to perform at his “best” 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.

Starc said

“I enjoyed it [IPL], likewise I enjoyed my time at Yorkshire 10 years ago, but Australia will always sit at the top. I don’t regret any of it, money will come and go but I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had,” Starc told The Guardian.

“Over a hundred years of Test cricket and there’s been less than 500 men who have played it for Australia, that in itself makes it very special to be a part of it.”

“The traditionalist in me still hopes there is a generation of boys and girls who want to represent their country in Test cricket. But the easy money is in franchise cricket, it’s the fast track to notoriety,” he added.

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 asserted.

“Franchise cricket is great, but you can be bought or sold or traded in 12 months, whereas this is an opportunity [playing tests] that I’ve been fortunate enough to have over 10 years now…To be able to pull on the baggy green with a lot of my close mates, guys I’ve grown up in the game with,” Starc added.