In a significant setback, Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, citing personal reasons. The announcement forces Australia to make substantial changes to their squad, with Steve Smith stepping in to captain the team.
Starc’s withdrawal compounds existing injury concerns for key players Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, as well as Mitchell Marsh, and the recent retirement of Marcus Stoinis. This means Australia will be without their entire frontline pace attack from their 2023 World Cup-winning team.
Cricket Australia respects Mitchell Starc’s decision
Cricket Australia has respected Starc’s request for privacy and has not disclosed further details regarding his decision. Starc, who showed signs of discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, has returned home and will also miss the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” said Chair of Australia’s men’s selectors George Bailey in his official statement. “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.”
Cricket Australia names the replacement players
Australia have brought in five new players to the squad: Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha. Cooper Connolly will travel as a reserve. With Stoinis’s retirement, duties will likely be shared between Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie.
Australia will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against England on February 22.
Australia’s final squad for the Champions Trophy 2025:
Steve Smith (captain), 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.