Srinagar: Austrlia’s premier pacer Mitchell Starc has said that he prefers to play 100 Tests for Australia over participation in cash rich IPL for money.
Starc a member Australia’s 2015 World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup winning squad wants to play 100 Test matches for Australia.
His current count is 77 Tests, taking 306 wickets at an average of 27.52 since making his debut in 2011.
“To choose not to do certain things to prolong playing for Australia, I’ve tried to be smart about that,” Starc, who has played only two editions of the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), told cricket.com.au.
“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 said.
“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 air speed, 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.” Starc had received a lot of flak for his unflattering performance in the last few years with the late Shane Warne even questioning his place in the team”.
“That (media criticism) might have bothered me a few years ago, but I’ve certainly settled on a happy place where it doesn’t bother me anymore,” he said.
“If that’s what people think, that’s what they think … if I’m the whipping boy sometimes, that’s fine.
“I’m certainly more comfortable in my own skin. Perspective is everything, and one of the biggest contributors to perspective is going through those tough times.”