Australian cricket great Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. That was officially announced by Cricket Australia this morning. The 35-year-old left-arm fast bowler was expected to lead Australia’s attack in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan after Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were ruled out last week. Starc unfortunately also now is sidelined.
Starc, who has since asked to be given privacy and will not discuss his decision, appeared to be in discomfort with a left ankle problem as he bowled only four overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings in last week’s Final Test at Galle.
Reports have circulated that he returned to Australia right after the game ended, which also means he will miss out on the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka beginning today in Colombo.
The reasons for Starc pulling out remain private even to this hour, but Cricket Australia is 100 percent behind him, a 35-year-old on the verge of 100 Tests (currently 96) and 400 Test wickets (currently 382).
“Mitch has received multiple commiserations from a number of players who have also sent him a message explaining that they understand and highly respect Mitch’s choice,” said George Bailey today, chair of the national selection panel.
“Between his sacrifices to play through pain and his commitment to take up international cricket, Mitch deserves to be acknowledged.
“These reasons do do so to a great extent serve as a shooting away from everyone during the Champions Trophy campaign but put all the future possibilities into play right now.”
Johnson has played two ODIs and eight T20 internationals and is seen as a like-for-like replacement for Starc as a genuine left-arm quick.
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. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
