Mitchell Starc pulls out of Champions Trophy, new captain named

Photo : AFP

Australia’s cricket team has suffered a big blow before the Champions Trophy as their top fast bowlers, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, will not play in the tournament. Cummins has an ankle injury, and Hazlewood is recovering from side and calf problems, so they were already unlikely to play. However, Starc’s decision to step away for personal reasons was unexpected. This has forced Australia to change their team just a few weeks before the big event.

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Steve Smith will now lead the team as captain. He recently took charge during Australia’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Another setback for the team is the retirement of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis from ODI cricket last week. Also, Mitchell Marsh is missing from the squad due to a back problem. These changes mean that Australia will be without some of their most experienced players in the tournament.

Chief selector George Bailey said that the team has changed a lot in the past few weeks due to injuries and Stoinis' retirement. But he is still confident that the players chosen can perform well. He mentioned that many of them have already played at the international level and done well. Bailey also said that the team still has senior players who will guide the younger ones. He added that they have picked players who can adjust to different match conditions.

Starc was the only one among the three fast bowlers who played all seven Test matches against India and Sri Lanka this summer. His absence is a big loss, but Bailey respected Starc’s decision and said the reasons for his withdrawal will remain private. He praised Starc for his dedication to Australian cricket and said his absence gives another player a chance to shine.

Starc will also not play in the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which starts today in Colombo. With Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood missing, Australia has called in Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, and Ben Dwarshuis to replace them. Aaron Hardie has been included as an all-rounder who can bowl fast, while young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha will support Adam Zampa in the spin department.

The Champions Trophy will have eight teams and will take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

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