Australia selector George Bailey insists he ‘understands and respects’ Mitchell Starc’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The 35-year-old left-arm seamer will not be sharing his reason for pulling out of the tournament and has asked for privacy.
Australia will attempt to win their third Champions Trophy when the tournament starts on February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
But Australia will be without Starc – one of their best ever white-ball bowlers – and the injured Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh.
Starc, who has 244 wickets in 127 one-day internationals, played all seven of Australia’s recent Test matches against India and Sri Lanka.
‘We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,’ chair selector George Bailey said.
‘Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
‘His well-documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded.
‘His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity for someone else to make a mark on the tournament.’
Steve Smith will captain Australia during the Champions Trophy in the absence of injured skipper Cummins.
Australia are in Group B along with Afghanistan, England and South Africa. They begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 22 against Ashes rivals England.
Australia in the Champions Trophy
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. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
Group A:
Bangladesh
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
Group B:
Afghanistan
Australia
England
South Africa
Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and co-hosts Pakistan make up Group A.
Starc helped Australia come from behind to beat India at home and regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, before the Baggy Greens smashed Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.
In another blow to Australia’s Champions Trophy preparations, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis retired from ODI cricket on the eve of the tournament.
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‘The squad has changed significantly over the past month on the back of some untimely injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis,’ ex-Australia batter Bailey added.
‘The upside of that is that we have been able to call on players who have had international exposure and success over the past 12 months.
”A strong core of some our most experienced players will provide a strong foundation in our attempt to win this edition of the Champions Trophy.
‘We have a range of options to shape the playing XI within the tournament depending on the opposition and conditions we face.’
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