Australia's legendary fast bowler Mitchell Starc announces retirement from T20Is
Sydney: Australia’s white-ball pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals, just months ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
The 35-year-old left-arm quick, widely regarded as one of the most lethal white-ball bowlers of his generation, made the decision to prolong his international career in Test and One Day International formats.
In a statement released by Cricket Australia on Tuesday, Starc reaffirmed his commitment to the longer formats of the game. “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," he said.
"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 added.
Starc bows out of T20Is as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, claiming 79 wickets in 65 matches. Only leg-spinner Adam Zampa, with a higher tally, sits above him on the national list.
National selector George Bailey paid tribute to Starc’s impact in the shortest format. "Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia. He was an integral member of the 2021 World Cup-winning side and, as across all his cricket, had a great skill for blowing games open with his wicket-taking ability," Bailey said.
"We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for as long as possible," he added.
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Two people killed as poultry vehicle rams into parked truck in Belagavi
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Two people were killed, and another was severely injured after a goods vehicle transporting poultry birds allegedly rammed into a stationary truck on a national highway in Belagavi in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.
The deceased have been identified as Wasim (28) and Mubarak (22), both natives of Shivamogga district, they said.
The driver of the vehicle, Basavaraj Eerappa Hanchinamani (37), suffered critical injuries and has been admitted to a hospital, police said.
According to police, the accident occurred when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, allegedly due to drowsiness, and crashed into a truck parked along the highway.
The goods vehicle was en route from Kolhapur to Sorab in Shivamogga district, carrying poultry. Several chickens were also killed in the impact, a senior police officer said.
Police personnel from the Hirebagewadi Police Station visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
Injured people and the bodies of the deceased were shifted to a hospital, police added.
