'Will always keep Australian cricket front of mind' - Mitchell Starc 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.”