Mitchell Starc’s Shocking Reason for Opting Out of the 2025 Champions Trophy

Published on: February 28, 2025

Mitchell Starc’s Shocking Reason for Opting Out of the 2025 Champions Trophy

Australia Faces Afghanistan in a Crucial Champions Trophy Clash

Australia is set to take on Afghanistan in Match 10 of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore. This highly anticipated encounter carries significant stakes, as a victory would secure Australia’s place in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament. However, the Australian team is heading into this match without three of their key fast bowlers—Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood—which has led to concerns about the team’s bowling strength.

Mitchell Starc Reveals Reason for Champions Trophy Withdrawal

Ace Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has finally broken his silence on why he opted out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. While Cricket Australia (CA) had initially cited personal reasons, Starc has now provided more clarity, revealing that an ongoing ankle injury was the main factor behind his withdrawal. He also mentioned that there were some personal views that influenced his decision, though he refrained from elaborating on them.

Speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, Starc explained his reasoning:

“There’s a few different reasons, some personal views, and had a bit of ankle pain through the Test series [against Sri Lanka]. So just get that one right, obviously, we’ve got the Test final coming up and a West Indies tour after that. There’s some IPL cricket as well, but my main one top of my mind is that Test final so get my body right, play some cricket in the next couple of months and then be ready to go for the Test final.”

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This revelation clarifies that Starc is prioritizing his fitness, especially with key Test assignments on the horizon.

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Impact of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood’s Absence

The withdrawal of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood has significantly weakened Australia’s pace attack. These three bowlers have been the backbone of Australia’s bowling lineup for years, and their absence has forced the team management to rely on an inexperienced pace unit.

The lack of experience in the fast-bowling department could prove challenging, particularly in high-pressure knockout matches. Australia’s ability to defend targets or take early wickets has been hampered, putting extra responsibility on spinners and all-rounders.

Starc Prioritizing the World Test Championship and Future Tours

One of the major reasons Starc withdrew from the Champions Trophy was his focus on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa. He emphasized that managing his workload and maintaining fitness were top priorities, especially with a demanding cricket schedule ahead.

Apart from the WTC Final, Australia also has a crucial Test series against the West Indies, followed by the IPL. Given his importance in red-ball cricket, Starc wants to ensure that he is fully fit and ready for these critical matches.

By skipping the Champions Trophy, Starc aims to avoid aggravating his ankle injury, which troubled him during the Test series against Sri Lanka. His decision suggests that Australia is placing greater emphasis on Test cricket, recognizing the significance of the WTC Final in their long-term goals.

Questions Raised About Champions Trophy Format and Scheduling

Starc’s withdrawal has also sparked discussions about the tournament’s format and scheduling. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is being played in Pakistan under strict security measures, which have imposed severe restrictions on player movements.

Additionally, the tournament is operating under a hybrid model, where teams playing against India must travel to Dubai, while India gets to play all its matches at a single venue. This has raised concerns about fairness and logistical challenges, as teams like Australia have to adapt to multiple conditions, while India benefits from consistency.

Starc had previously toured Pakistan in 2022 without any issues, but the current tight security arrangements and logistical complications may have influenced his decision.

Australia’s Path to the Semi-Finals

Despite the absence of their premier fast bowlers, Australia remains in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals. The upcoming clash against Afghanistan on Friday, February 28, in Lahore is a virtual quarterfinal, where a victory will guarantee Australia a place in the next stage.

However, even if Australia loses to Afghanistan, they won’t be eliminated immediately. Their fate will depend on the result of another crucial match—England vs South Africa. For Australia to still qualify in case of a loss, they would need England to defeat South Africa by a large margin, thereby helping Australia advance on net run rate.

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Australia’s Bowling Challenge Against Afghanistan

With a depleted bowling attack, Australia will need to rely on their backup pacers and all-rounders to contain Afghanistan’s batting lineup. Players like Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Spencer Johnson will have to step up in the absence of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, has been a competitive side in recent ICC tournaments. They have a strong batting lineup featuring Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while their spin attack, led by Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, has the ability to trouble Australia’s batting unit.

For Australia to win, they will need David Warner, Travis Head, and Steve Smith to deliver strong performances with the bat, ensuring they put up a defendable total or successfully chase down any target.

What Lies Ahead for Starc and the Australian Team?

Mitchell Starc’s decision to withdraw from the Champions Trophy might be disappointing for Australian fans, but it underscores the growing importance of workload management in modern cricket. With a packed calendar featuring Test matches, T20 leagues, and ICC tournaments, top players are increasingly making strategic choices to stay fit for the most crucial assignments.

For Australia, the immediate focus remains on their Champions Trophy campaign. Whether they advance to the semi-finals or not, the tournament has already highlighted the challenges of playing without their full-strength squad.

As for Starc, he will now shift his focus to rehabbing his ankle and preparing for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, which is likely to be one of the biggest red-ball encounters of the year.

Conclusion

Mitchell Starc’s withdrawal from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a major talking point, especially given the impact on Australia’s bowling lineup. While his ankle injury and workload concerns were key reasons, the tournament’s scheduling and security restrictions may have also played a role.

As Australia gears up for their must-win clash against Afghanistan, all eyes will be on how their young pace attack performs under pressure. Meanwhile, Starc’s absence serves as a reminder that in modern cricket, managing fitness and prioritizing key tournaments has become just as important as winning trophies.