Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy for personal reasons with Australia confirming a different looking 15-player squad that will be captained by Steven Smith. Mitchell Starc has decided to skip the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as Australia finalized their squad for the event on Wednesday, February 12. Steve Smith will be leading the team in Pakistan as the squad will miss the presence of the ‘big 3’ pacers with Mitchell Starc’s withdrawal.
Mitchell Starc has decided to withdraw from the tournament for personal reasons, and will join Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines. Cummins and Hazlewood decided to sit out of the Champions Trophy due to injury concerns, while Australia will also be without the services of Mitchell Marsh. Marcus Stoinis will also be absent from the squad as he announced his shock ODI retirement ahead of the tournament.
Mitchell Starc pulls out of Champions Trophy 2025 citing ‘privacy’ reason
Renowned Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc will miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Cricket Australia announced this on Wednesday morning. The 35-year-old left-arm pacer was anticipated to spearhead the bowling lineup for the 2006 and 2009 Champions Trophy winners in Pakistan, following the exclusion of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who were ruled out last week. However, Starc has now also been sidelined.
As reported by Cricket.com.au, 35-year-old Mitchell Starc, who has taken 244 wickets in 127 matches, has chosen not to discuss his decision and has requested privacy. It has been noted that the left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc appeared to be experiencing discomfort due to a left ankle problem while bowling during the second innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last week.
Mitchell Starc is said to have returned to Australia and will not be eligible for selection in the upcoming two-match away series against Sri Lanka, which begins in Colombo on Wednesday, February 12. Cricket Australia has shown their complete support for Starc, although the specific reasons for his withdrawal are not publicly disclosed.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
“His well documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded. His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament.”
Steve Smith will take on the captaincy in place of Cummins and Marsh having led Australia to a 2-0 victory the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Steven Smith will lead the newly looked Australian side in Champions Trophy 2025
Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha have been brought in from outside the original 15-player group that was announced. Cooper Connolly will be a traveling reserve.
Fraser-McGurk, who averages 17.40 from five ODIs but finished the BBL with 95 off 46 balls for Melbourne Renegades, provides another top-order option in the absence of Marsh while left-arm quick Johnson is as close as possible to a like-for-like of Starc although is wicketless from two ODIs. Leg spinner Sangha, who was already in Sri Lanka with the Test squad as a development player, joins Adam Zampa as a second frontline spinner.
“The squad has changed significantly over the past month on the back of some untimely injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis,” Bailey said.
“The upside of that is that we have been able to call on players who have had international exposure and success over the past 12 months.
Australia Champions Trophy squad : Steven Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa