Mitchell Starc opens up on missing IPL, BBL

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who is known for his ability to bowl yorkers at will, has been a proven match-winner for his side in the last few years, including finishing as the Player of the Tournament in the 2015 edition of the World Cup. When he was at the peak of his career in the mid-2010s, he started giving lesser weightage to franchise cricket.

Starc might have lost out on millions by turning down lucrative contracts from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL), but he has no regrets about it. In fact, it has almost been a decade since the tall speedster had participated in either of the leagues. The left-arm fast bowler who had pulled out of the IPL 2022 mega auction earlier this year has now backed out from BBL 12 as well.

My approach with franchise cricket hasn’t changed: Mitchell Starc

“I have always enjoyed the BBL when I have played it… but my approach with all franchise cricket hasn’t changed over the last seven years,” Starc was quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “My approach to the IPL, BBL, I have looked at the Australian schedule and wanting to be as fit and well-performed for that as I can. And franchise cricket has taken a back seat.”

“The schedule in the next 18 months is ridiculous. I will always keep Australian cricket front of mind, and then franchise cricket (second). I also like spending time at home and seeing my wife (Australian women’s team wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy)” Starc added.

The pacer is currently in Sri Lanka for the ongoing all-format bilateral series. He took just one wicket in the first Test in Galle where the visitors registered an emphatic 10-wicket win. The second Test will be played at the same venue on July 8.

As far as Starc’s participation in the franchise leagues are concerned, he had last played the BBL way back in the 2014-15 season when he represented Sydney Sixers. In the IPL, the senior pacer played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2014 and 2015 before parting ways with the franchise.

In 2018, Starc was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders, but an injury forced him to withdraw from the tournament. In between, he did express his interest to participate in the cash-rich tournament before changing his mind at the very last moment.