Australia World cup winner opted out of The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 

File: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchel Strac other players of Australian team-credits ICC

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 starts in February 2025 in Pakistan. All the teams have announced their final squads and preparations for their respective matches are in full flow. The ICC Champions Trophy will be played around 4 venues including Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia's Premium fast bowler and World Cup winner Mitchel Starc has just announced that he is opting to sit out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to personal reasons. Moreover, Cricket Australia has announced that in the absence of Patrick Cummins their ODI captain, Steve Smith will captain the Aussies team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

In this article, we will discuss Mitchel Starc's decision to withdraw from the Champions Trophy, its reasons, and its Impact on the team and mega event. Cricket Australia's decision to give Steve Smith Captaincy of Aussies in The ICC Champions Trophy, his captaincy record, and Cricket Australia's chances in The ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Mitchel Starc withdraws from The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mitchel Starc who is Cricket Australia's front-line bowler in all formats and their go-to man in any situation has announced that he has withdrawn from The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to personal reasons.

This is another major blow to The depleted Aussies squad which is already without the services of their key players like Patrick Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchel Marsh all of them suffering from injuries, and Marcus Stoinis who has announced his shocking retirement from ODI's last week.

    Photo: Mitchel Starc-credits Cricket Australia

It means that now the Aussies will be without their entire World Cup 2023 winning pace attack.

Although Mitchel Starc cited personal reasons to be the factor behind his decision according to the media he was feeling discomfort at the end of the 2nd Test between Australia and Srilanka.

What does Cricket Australia say about Mitchel Starc's decision? 

Cricket Australia's Head of Selectors Goerge Bailey said " We respect Mitchel Starc's decision, he is our main weapon in any format and conditions. He has served us a lot, He has a great work ethic and he has always prioritized his country above anything. He can play for us even in pain and discomfort as he did multiple times in his career plus he has left many opportunities in life to serve Cricket Australia. So everyone should respect his decision. 

Although it is a major blow to us it also provides an opportunity for someone else to make this count at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

What does it mean to Cricket Australia in ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

Mitchel Starc is definitely one of the best fast bowlers in the world right now. He is a big game player and he has won Cricket Australia quite a lot of matches single-handedly. So his absence is a major blow for Cricket Australia. They are already without Mitchel Marsh, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Marcus Stoinis. More details are available here: Australian Top Players to Miss ICC champions Trophy 2025.

 So, it is just adding salt to their miseries. Now Cricket Australia has to add another replacement for their ICC Champions Trophy Squad. We will have to see how the Aussie team will perform in The ICC Champions Trophy without their experienced pack attack.

How it will affect The ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

Mitchel Starc is a global star he has a huge fan base across the world so his absence is a big disappointment for all the cricket fans. Everyone will miss Mitch's great performances and aggressive bowling at the biggest stage. But many other good players can light the big stage with their top performances. so let's hope that absence other top players will make up for his absence and provide us many memorable moments to chear.

    Photo: Mitchel Starc- credits ICC

Who will captain the Australian team in The ICC Champions Trophy 2023?

Cricket Australia yesterday announced that their previous captain Steve Smith will be the captain of the Australian team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier Pat Cummins was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to an injury so in his absence Steve Smith will now lead the Aussies troops.

Steve Smith has a good experience of captaincy on the International stage as he leads the Aussies to many great wins. He has captained Australis in 59 ODI matches won 31 lost 25 and 3 matches ended in no result.

    Photo: Steve Smith- credits Cricket Australia

Final Thoughts

So as now Mitchel Starc has withdrawn from The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Steve Smith will captain the Australian side we will have to see how the Aussies will perform at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Especially their new look pace attack will be under the spotlight. But if we look at history we will see No matter what kind of team the Aussies have they always have the habit of performing strong on the bigger stages.

    Photo: Australian team with World Cup Trophy 2015

So, what do you think about how new look Aussies will perform in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Now, we will answer some frequently asked questions.

Why is Mitchell Starc not playing in the Champions Trophy? On 12th February 2025, the news broke out that Mitchel Starc had withdrawn from the Champions Trophy 2025 due to personal reasons. Later on, Cricket Australia has also confirmed the news. So, Cricket Australia will have to announce his replacement also. 
Where the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is taking place?ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in 4 venues including Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Dubai (due to political tensions between India and Pakistan Indian Team is not travelling to Pakistan and they will play their matches in Dubai.
Who is the captain of Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025? Cricket Australia has announced that in the absence of Pat Cummins Steve Smith will be captain for Aussies in The ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Will Starc play in the Champions Trophy in 2025? Cricket Australia on Wednesday confirmed that Mitchel has withdrawn from The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to personal reasons so he will not play in the upcoming event.
How many teams will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? 8 Teams are participating in The ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The teams are placed in two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh whereas, England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan are in Group B.
Why are West Indies not in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? West Indies have not qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 so, they cannot compete for the mega event.