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MELBOURNE, Australia — Mitchell Starc has opted out of the Champions Trophy, which means Australia is set to compete without any of its three leading fast bowlers.
Australia’s quest to capture cricket’s Champions Trophy for the first time since 2009 will be undertaken with a completely revamped pace bowling lineup following Starc’s withdrawal on Wednesday for personal reasons.
The tournament will largely take place in Pakistan, with India hosting its matches in the United Arab Emirates, kicking off on February 19. Australia is scheduled to face England in their opening match on February 22.
Starc was the only participant from Australia’s acclaimed trio of fast bowlers to feature in all seven of the latest tests against India and Sri Lanka. He is now joining captain Pat Cummins, who is dealing with an ankle injury, and Josh Hazlewood, who is sidelined due to a side strain.
Starc has chosen not to divulge details about his decision and has requested privacy. The 35-year-old bowler showed signs of discomfort during Australia’s recent second test against Sri Lanka at Galle, where he managed to bowl just four overs in the second innings. Australia claimed victory in that test series, finishing with a 2-0 record.
Cricket Australia has expressed its full support for Starc. Over his career, he has participated in 96 tests, claiming 382 wickets and has been a key player in the limited-overs format as well.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” stated George Bailey, chairman of the national selection panel, on Wednesday. “Mitch is highly regarded for his dedication to international cricket and the commitment he demonstrates when playing for Australia.”
In light of the injuries sustained by the three veteran fast bowlers and Marcus Stoinis’s retirement from ODIs announced last week, there is now a chance for emerging fast bowlers Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis to step up, as they have all been included in Australia’s 15-man squad.
Spencer Johnson, a left-armer, has made appearances in two ODIs and eight T20 internationals and is viewed as a comparable substitute for Starc. Nathan Ellis was part of Australia’s squad for last year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States and has previously played in Pakistan, having made his ODI debut there in 2022.
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Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), 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. Traveling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
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