 "Champions Trophy 2025: Australia suffer another blow as Mitchell Starc set to miss tournament, Steve Smith to lead")
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc will miss the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to personal reasons as the former champions finalised their 15-member squad for the tournament. Steve Smith will captain Australia in the Champions Trophy due to the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who has not been able to recover from an ankle injury.
Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh were already ruled out of the tournament due to hip, ankle and back injuries. And all-rounder Marcus Stoinis’ retirement from ODIs left the Aussies significantly depleted going into the eight-team tournament.
Five new players drafted into Australia squad
Five new players have been drafted into Australia’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. They are Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha. The actual reason for Starc’s absence from the Champions Trophy squad was not revealed but selection committee chairman George Bailey said that Cricket Australia (CA) supported the 35-year-old’ decision. “We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” he 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," the former Australia captain added.
Australia are in Group B for the Champions Trophy along with England, South Africa and tournament debutants Afghanistan. The two-time champions will bein their campaign against England in Lahore on 22 February.
Australia’s updated squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Steve Smith (c), 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.
Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
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