Australian pacer Mitchell Starc eyes 2027 World Cup

New Delhi: Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc remains ​driven by the competitive nature of cricket and hopes ‌to extend ​his 16-year international career for a few more years, he said on Saturday, keeping the door open for a potential appearance at the 2027 World Cup.The 36-year-old left-armer, Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker with 759 across formats – behind only Shane Warne and Glenn ⁠McGrath – retired from Twenty20 internationals in September to prolong his career in tests and 50-over cricket.The next ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia ‌in October-November 2027.”I’m pretty competitive, so I just enjoy that aspect of cricket,” Starc told reporters. “For Australia, I get to play with ‌some of my best mates. I enjoy the hard ‌work, but I also enjoy competing, and it’s still fun.”Starc, ‌who has been managing ‌elbow and shoulder niggles, said his body was holding up well despite the demands of ​international cricket.”There’s always ‌something going on. ​I’ve had a bit of a ⁠niggle with my elbow and shoulder, which is still being managed, but there’s probably a little less impact in T20 cricket,” he ​said.”I’m still ⁠going okay after ⁠16 years and hopefully there are a couple more left.”Starc, who made his Australia debut in 2010, is currently playing for Delhi ⁠Capitals in the Indian Premier League, in which they sit eighth in the 10-team table.He was named player of the series in Australia’s recent 4-1 Ashes victory over England.”It’s (2027 World Cup) a long way down the road, but I’ll hopefully be ‌there. The World Cup is always a goal for every cricketer,” he added.”I’ve stepped ​away from T20 internationals, but I’m still enjoying my cricket. I don’t set timelines – I just see where the body is and where the cricket is.”