Veteran Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has dismissed concerns over the age of his nation's frontline attack, insisting their experience will be a major asset for the next Ashes tour of England in 2027.
Experience Trumps Age for Veteran Pace Battery
The 35-year-old left-arm quick, who finished the recent 4-1 series victory over England with a series-high 31 wickets, believes the squad's maturity is a benefit, not a hindrance. His comments come as Australia's players celebrated their convincing win long into the evening at the SCG, with retiring opener Usman Khawaja leading the team song.
"This group has shown that whilst there's so much made about our age profile, at times through this series that experience has been a really good thing," Starc said. "We've seen guys prove that if you're still playing your role or if you're still good enough, it shouldn't matter how old you are."
Road to England 2027: Who Makes the Cut?
After Australia retained the urn in England in 2023 with a 2-2 draw, fears emerged that as few as four players from that squad would return in 2027. However, with the next series now just 18 months away, only David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Mitch Marsh have retired from Test cricket, opening the door for at least 10 players to make the trip again.
Starc, who will be 37 when the team departs, is keen to be among them. "I'd love to go...but we've got plenty of cricket before then," he stated, noting his decision to step away from T20 internationals was aimed at prolonging his Test career. He and fellow quick Scott Boland, who will be 38, came through all five Tests this summer unscathed, with Boland claiming 20 wickets.
The historical challenge is significant: Ray Lindwall and Kenneth Mackay remain the only two Australian quicks to play Tests after age 37 since World War II, both in the early 1960s.
Captain's Ambition and Bowling Depth
Ominously for England, captain Pat Cummins featured in just one Ashes Test this series due to injury, yet Australia still dominated. Cummins, a near certainty to lead the side aged 34 if fit, still has winning a Test series in England – a feat last achieved by Australia in 2001 – high on his bucket list.
The path for other senior bowlers varies:
- Josh Hazlewood (35) faces the toughest challenge due to his injury history, though his quality remains undiminished when fit.
- Nathan Lyon (would be 39) had expressed a desire to play into 2027 before his recent hamstring tear.
Beyond the bowlers, Steve Smith will be 38 and is taking a series-by-series approach to his future. Questions also linger over batting spots, with Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green under scrutiny before the Bangladesh Tests in August, which begin a frantic 12-month schedule for the team.
Starc's declaration sends a clear message: Australia's seasoned campaigners are far from finished, and they have the 2027 Ashes firmly in their sights.
