Australian paceman Mitchell Starc has revealed that playing Test cricket remains his top priority despite the recent windfall in the IPL. The left-arm pacer has given up the lucrative T20 league in the last few years to spend time with his wife Alyssa Healy, who has a busy international schedule of her own.
Starc broke IPL auction records to become the most expensive player in history as Kolkata Knight Riders pocketed Rs 24.75 crore after an intense bidding war with three other franchises. The 33-year-old beat fellow Australian Pat Cummins, who received a Rs 20.50-crore fee from SunRisers Hyderabad just an hour ago.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second Test against Pakistan, Starc, as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald, said:
“I have always given priority to Test cricket and international cricket, and it is difficult to juggle one schedule, let alone two schedules [wife Alyssa’s career] related to a relationship. I always spent that time away from cricket with Alyssa or with my family and recharging my body to be fit and ready to play Australian cricket. Red-ball cricket is still top of the tree for me and my body will probably tell me about Test cricket before I want to.”
He added that the quality of cricket in the Indian Premier League will help prepare him for the T20 World Cup soon after.
“As I said before, the money is definitely good, and that is the case this year, but I always prioritize international cricket and I think it has helped my game,” he said. “It’s a great introduction to next year’s T20 World Cup with the IPL and the quality of cricket that the tournament has to offer.”
The New South Welshman had previously featured for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and has a good record. In 27 matches, he took 34 scalps at 20.38.
“I have 5 or 6 Test matches to focus on” – Mitchell Starc
