Having departed from the squad, the Australia custodian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is the latest player to miss the ODI Champions Trophy due to personal concerns. The team will now head to the tournament with three frontline quicks missing for the ODI competition in Pakistan and the UAE.
Starc’s withdrawal follows the exit of two pace stalwarts Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood who were sidelined with different injuries. With Starc’s withdrawal global champions Australia will now be relying on a mix of fringe and untested fast bowlers in Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis to add more ODI trophies to their collection.
The nation assembly also confirmed that Starc won’t be available for the two warmup ODIs against Sri Lanka in Colombo which starts today.
“We respect and understand Mitch’s decision, ” said National selector George Bailey. “As the tournament approaches, it does create an opportunity for someone else to mark a mark on the competitive events, but does take away a crucial player for the champions trophy campaign. ”
Steve Smith will lead the undermanned squad in Cummins’ absence, the Australian head coach of the Test Cricket team will also be glad to have recently won the 2-0 Test series against Sri Lanka.
In addition to this, Australia will also be missing the services of all-rounder Mitch Marsh with injury as well as seam bowling all-rounder Marcus Stoinis who in shocking fashion retired from ODIs last week.
With Matt Short and Travis Head set to open the batting, power hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk has been added to the 15-man squad and could slot in at 3 in place of Marsh.
Tanveer Sangha is also in the squad after featuring in his second ODI match in September 2023 against India.
On February 22, Australia will commence their Champions Trophy campaign against England before facing South Africa and Afghanistan in further group matches.
Australia 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.