Australian fast-bowling star Mitchell Starc sparked an unexpected moment of surprise for his wife, former Australia women’s captain ABPLive, after casually joking about walking away from international cricket during a podcast appearance. The fast bowler made the remarks while discussing his workload and a demanding schedule targeting 21 Test matches over the next 18 months.
Appearing on the CricketAddictor podcast, Starc noted that he had featured in only two of those 21 Tests so far, leaving 19 matches still potentially ahead of him. While breaking down his future planning, the left-arm pacer remarked that once that demanding stretch is completed, he could simply “ride off into the sunset.” The casual comment immediately caught Healy off guard, drawing a visibly stunned reaction and subsequent laughter from his wife, who sat nearby during the recording.
Clearing the Air on Future Plans
Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere and his wife’s startled response, Starc moved quickly to clarify that his comments were entirely tongue-in-cheek and did not signal an imminent exit from international cricket. The veteran bowler emphasized that he still possesses plenty of competitive cricket in his career and does not anticipate being the first player among his current national teammates to step away from the sport.
“No, it’s no, I’ve got plenty more than that. I don’t think I’ll be first to go. Yeah, going alright, going well,” Starc explained, reassuring both the podcast hosts and listeners about his current physical condition and ongoing motivation on the international stage.
Preparation for the South Africa Tour
Any lingering questions regarding Starc’s immediate playing future were swiftly answered by his rigorous training schedule. The fast bowler revealed that he had already completed a training session alongside Australia men’s team captain Pat Cummins earlier that same morning obnews.co. Starc outlined plans for one final workout before packing his bags to join the Australian squad for their upcoming assignment in South Africa, which encompasses a series of limited-overs fixtures and Test matches.
The conversation also shifted briefly to domestic reflections, with Starc discussing how life after professional sport has treated Healy since her own international retirement earlier in 2026 following a multi-format home series against India. While Healy has since returned to work after thoroughly enjoying her initial months away from the game, Starc’s own career remains firmly anchored in international competition as he prepares to board his flight to South Africa.