Due to personal reasons, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the ICC Champions Trophy at the last moment.
With regular captain Pat Cummins ruled out due to injury, experienced batter Steven Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming Champions Trophy. The last time Smith captained Australia in a global event was in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
Apart from Cummins, another experienced pacer, Josh Hazlewood, has also been ruled out of the previously announced Australian squad due to injury. As a result, Australia will face the challenge of winning the Champions Trophy without their title-winning pace trio from the last ODI World Cup.
Regarding Starc’s withdrawal, Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said, “We understand and respect Mitch’s decision. He is always eager to perform for Australia and remains committed to international cricket. Losing him is undoubtedly a big setback, but this tournament provides a great opportunity for others to step up and prove themselves.”
Like Cummins and Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh has also been ruled out due to injury, while Marcus Stoinis recently retired from ODI cricket. To replace the five unavailable players, Australia has included Jack Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, and Tanveer Sangha in the squad.
Fraser-McGurk has played 5 ODIs, Abbott 26, Dwarshuis 1, while Johnson and Sangha have played 2 ODIs each. Spin all-rounder Cooper Connolly has been named as a traveling reserve.
Australia will begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 22 against England in Group B. They will then face South Africa on February 25 and Afghanistan on February 28.
Australia Squad for Champions Trophy:
Steven Smith (Captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jack Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
