Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign suffered a significant setback as senior pacer Mitchell Starc withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons.
In his absence, Steve Smith has been named captain, leading a reshuffled 15-member squad for the event set to begin on 19 February in Pakistan and the UAE.
Starc’s withdrawal compounds Australia’s injury woes, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh already sidelined. His departure further weakens the team’s pace attack ahead of the crucial tournament.
The left-arm seamer, who has requested privacy regarding his decision, appeared to be in discomfort during the latter stages of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
“We understand and respect Mitch's decision,” chair of selectors George Bailey said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “Mitch [Starc] is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.”
He further remarked, “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 it provides an opportunity for someone else to make a mark on the tournament.”
Smith, who recently led Australia to a 2-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka, will take over as captain in the absence of Cummins and Marsh.
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To strengthen the squad, Australia has included Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson, and Tanveer Sangha. Additionally, Cooper Connolly will travel as a reserve player.
Fraser-McGurk, who has an ODI average of 17.40 from five matches, showcased his potential with an explosive 95 off 46 balls in the Big Bash League (BBL) for Melbourne Renegades. Johnson, a left-arm pacer, is a like-for-like replacement for Starc, though he is yet to claim a wicket in his two ODI appearances.
Meanwhile, leg-spinner Sangha, who was already with the Test squad in Sri Lanka as a development player, will pair with Adam Zampa as the team’s second frontline spinner.
Bailey acknowledged the squad’s drastic changes over the past month, stating, “The squad has changed significantly on the back of some untimely injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis.”
“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,” he said.
“A strong core of our most experienced players will provide a solid foundation in our attempt to win this edition of the Champions Trophy. We have a range of options to shape the playing XI depending on the opposition and conditions we face,” Bailey added.
Australia will fine-tune their preparations with two ODIs against Sri Lanka in Colombo on 12 and 14 February before commencing their Champions Trophy campaign against England on 22 February. They will then take on South Africa on 25 February and Afghanistan on 28 February.
Australia Champions Trophy 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.
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