Mitchell Starc will not be part of Australia’s Steve Smith-led team for the next ICC Men’s Champions Trophy. For unspecified personal reasons, the left-arm seamer, who recently played in both Test matches in Galle, has decided to withdraw from the competition. Cricket Australia has complied with Starc request for privacy by not disclosing any more information.
The selectors have added Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, and Sean Abbott to the new-look 15-man squad, with Cooper Connolly serving as the traveling reserve, due to Marcus Stoinis’ retirement and injuries to players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh.
Australia squad: 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]
George Bailey, chair of the men’s selectors, stated of Starc, who would also miss the two ODIs in Sri Lanka, “We understand and respect Mitch’s decision.” “Mitch’s dedication to international cricket and his emphasis on playing for Australia have earned him a great deal of respect.
“We should commend him for his well-documented ability to play through injury and hardship and for sacrificing possibilities in other areas of his career to prioritize his nation.
“Starc 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.”
Australia had to make up to five changes to their preliminary team for the event due to injuries to Hazlewood and Marsh [back], Cummins [ankle], and Stoinis’ abrupt departure from ODIs.
“The upside of that is that we have been able to call on players who have had international exposure and success over the past 12 months,” Bailey stated. “We will have a solid basis in our quest to win this Champions Trophy thanks to a core group comprising some of our most seasoned players. Depending on the opposition and the circumstances, we can choose from a variety of choices to form the playing XI during the competition.”
Abbott and Johnson support the speed attack; Johnson provides a left-arm alternative when Starc is not available, while the selectors have recruited the explosive batter Jake Fraser-McGurk to boost the top order. In an effort to cover every possible scenario, Australia has also added Sangha, a second legspinner, to the team. Dwarshuis, who has only played one ODI, also earns a spot.
Before starting their campaign against England in Lahore on February 22, Australia will play two One-Day Internationals in Sri Lanka.
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