Mitchell Starc, the only member of Australia’s legendary fast-bowling trio to play all seven Test matches against India and Sri Lanka this summer, withdrew from the tournament in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates for personal reasons. As a result, Australia, captained by Steve Smith, will be missing all three of their frontline pacers from last year’s successful ODI World Cup campaign in India, in addition to injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (back) and Marcus Stoinis, who unexpectedly retired from ODI cricket last week.
Mitchell Starc ruled out
While bowling just four overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings in last week’s final Test in Galle, Starc, who has asked for privacy and will not be discussing his choice, seemed uncomfortable with a left ankle problem. His absence from the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which starts today in Colombo, is thought to be due to his quick return to Australia following the game.
Although Starc’s motivations for leaving are yet unknown, Cricket Australia has stated that it fully supports the 35-year-old, who is on the verge of reaching two significant milestones: 400 Test wickets (now 382) and 100 Test appearances (now 96).
The chair of the national selection panel, George Bailey, stated today, “We understand and respect Mitch’s decision.” “Mitch is well-known for his devotion to playing cricket internationally and his desire to represent Australia at the highest level. “It is admirable how he overcame suffering and hardship and was willing to put his country’s needs ahead of other professional opportunities.” “Mitch’s departure undoubtedly hurts our Champions Trophy campaign, but it also gives someone else a chance to step up and contribute to the competition.”
The final 15-man roster for the Champions Trophy includes rising quicks Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis, made possible by the absence of Australia’s top pace three. With a similar left-arm pace option to the attack, Johnson, who has played in two ODIs and eight T20 internationals, is thought to be a logical alternative for Starc.
Abbott also played in the Pakistan ODI series and has 26 ODI caps, including one from Australia’s successful 2023 World Cup campaign in India. Dwarshuis, a pace bowler with all-around skills like Abbott, has played just one ODI for Australia, playing against England at Trent Bridge during last year’s white-ball tour of the UK. Ellis was a member of Australia’s squad for last year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.
Rising leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha was named in the 15-man squad after joining the Test touring party in Sri Lanka earlier this month as a development player. Meanwhile, 21-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly was chosen as the traveling reserve, continuing his quick ascent only days after earning his first Baggy Green in the second Test at Galle. Aaron Hardie takes over Stoinis’s role as a seam-bowling all-rounder and middle-order power hitter, but pitch conditions are predicted to make Glenn Maxwell’s off-spin just as important in supporting lead spinner Adam Zampa.
The squad has undergone significant changes over the past month due to some unfortunate injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis,” Bailey stated yesterday. The bright side is that for the past year, we have been able to call up individuals who have distinguished themselves internationally. To win this Champions Trophy, we will have a strong core of our most seasoned players to support us.
“We have a variety of options to shape the playing XI depending on the opposition and conditions we face throughout the tournament.” The squad now includes test batters Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey. If Inglis takes wicketkeeping duties, Carey may play as a specialist batter, particularly after he scored a career-high 156 in spinning conditions at Galle last week.
Smith, who was named player of the series after leading Australia to a 2-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, will assume captaincy in Cummins’ absence. This week’s two 50-over matches against Sri Lanka in Colombo, which will act as warm-up matches before Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign kicks off against England in Lahore on February 22, will also feature Smith as the team’s captain. Australia has won the Champions Trophy twice, in 2006 and 2009. The most recent tournament was played in the UK in 2017, with Pakistan defeating India in the final at The Oval.
2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy Fixtures
- – February 22: Australia vs. England, Lahore (8 pm AEDT)
- – February 25: Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi (8 pm AEDT)
- – February 28: Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore (8 pm AEDT)
- – March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai (8 pm AEDT)
- – March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore (8 pm AEDT)
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