Australia Champions Trophy Squad: There are only a few days left for the start of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and before that Australia has suffered another major setback. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn his name from the tournament due to personal reasons.
Mitchell Starc Withdraws – Fifth Big Blow for Australia Ahead of Champions Trophy
This is the fifth major setback that Australia has suffered before the start of the ICC tournament. Let us tell you, earlier veteran Australian players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. While all-rounder Marcus Stoinis surprised everyone by suddenly announcing his retirement.
With Mitchell Starc withdrawing due to personal reasons, this will be the first time since 2009 that Australia will rely on a whole new fast bowling line-up to win the ICC Champions Trophy and its ‘Big Three’ will not be part of the team.
Mitchell Starc has not made any reason for withdrawing his name public and has demanded privacy. Starc looked uncomfortable with a left ankle problem while bowling just four overs during the second innings of Sri Lanka’s final Test in Galle last week.
According to Cricket Australia, he is understood to have returned to Australia immediately after that match, which means he will also miss the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting in Colombo today.
Also Check: Match Officials for Champions Trophy 2025 Group Stage
Young Fast Bowlers Get a Big Opportunity in Starc’s Absence
While the reasons for Starc’s withdrawal are personal, Cricket Australia has expressed its full support to the 35-year-old, who is inching towards 100 Tests (currently 96) and 400 Test wickets (now 382).
The absence of the pace trio has opened the door for the next generation of fast bowlers – Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis – who have been named in Australia’s final 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy.
Johnson has played two ODIs and eight T20Is. The left-arm pacer is seen as a like-to-like replacement for Mitchell Starc.
Ellis was a member of Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA last year and has previous experience making his debut on the ODI tour in Pakistan in 2022.
Abbott was part of the ODI series against Pakistan and has played 26 ODIs, including one match during Australia’s victorious 2023 World Cup campaign in India. A fast bowler with an all-rounder like Abbott, Dwarshuis’ only previous ODI for Australia was against England at Trent Bridge during the white-ball tour of the UK last year.
Steve Smith Named Captain for Champions Trophy 2025
With Pat Cummins out, Australia was also looking for a captain. There was a race between Travis Head and Steve Smith, in which Smith won.
Steve Smith will lead the team in the tournament to be held in Pakistan and UAE. Smith recently led the team in the Test series against Sri Lanka, in which the team won 2-0. After this, Smith will also lead the team in the ODI series.
The Australian team will begin their campaign against England in Lahore on February 22. Australia won the Champions Trophy twice in 2006 and 2009, the last tournament was held in the UK in 2017 where Pakistan defeated India in the final at The Oval.
Australia Champions Trophy 2025 Squad
Captain: Steve Smith
Players: 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.
Travel Reserve: Cooper Connolly
FAQs
1. Why did Mitchell Starc withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Mitchell Starc withdrew due to personal reasons and has requested privacy.
2. Who will lead Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025?
Steve Smith has been named Australia’s captain in Cummins’ absence.
3. When will Australia play its first match?
Australia will face England on February 22 in Lahore.
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