'Onya maaateee' - Alyssa Healy reacts to husband Mitchell Starc’s T20I retirement

Australia's ace pacer when Mitchell Starc, announced his retirement from T20 internationals on Tuesday, September 02. The 35-year-old exited the format after a 13-year career that saw him become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker. His wife and Australian women’s captain, Alyssa Healy, reacted with a heartfelt tribute to her husband's contribution to T20I cricket.

Healy took to Instagram shortly after Starc made his decision public, posting a heartfelt story. Sharing a picture of her husband, she wrote, "Onya maaateee @mstarc56."

Mitchell Starc announces T20I retirement

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Mitchell Starc announces T20I retirement

Test cricket is my highest priority: Starc

The left-arm seamer's T20I career began in 2012 against Pakistan, and over the course of 65 matches, he bagged 79 wickets at an average of 23.81. His best figures of 4 for 20 came against the West Indies in 2022. Notably, he featured in five of the six T20 World Cups played since, missing only the 2016 edition with an injury. However, he played an important role in Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup victory in Dubai in 2021.

Starc made the decision just six months before the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and made it clear that his main focus is on Test and ODI cricket.

"Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority. I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way. Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns. It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament," Starc said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Meanwhile, Australia announced its T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. The roaster sees Cameron Green and Nathan Ellis missing the trip.