Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc withdrew from the Champions Trophy due to some personal reasons. His departure from the squad will leave an impact as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are already injured. This leaves the Australian squad without its three frontline quicks for the ODI tournament in Pakistan and the UAE.
Starc’s withdrawal comes after pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were ruled out due to injuries. World champions Australia will now rely on fast bowlers – Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis – in their bid for more ODI wins.
Read more: No Champions Trophy Warm-Up Matches for India – Smart Move or Risky Gamble?
Selectors stated that Starc will not be available for the two warmup ODIs as well against Sri Lanka. “We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” selector George Bailey stated on Wednesday. “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.”
Selectors confirmed Steve Smith will lead the squad in Cummins’ absence, who recently captained Australia in their 2-0 series against Sri Lanka. Australia will also be without injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and bowling all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who surprisingly retired from ODIs.
Power hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in the 15-man squad and may replace Marsh at number three in the batting, with Matt Short and Travis Head likely to open.
Australia will open their Champions Trophy campaign against England in Lahore on February 22 and play further group matches against South Africa and Afghanistan.
Current Australian Squad
- Steve Smith (capt)
- 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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