Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc on Thursday (February 27, 2025) revealed the reason behind pulling out from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is going down in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Starc was initially named in Australia’s preliminary squad for the eight-team occasion however was a notable absentee when the two-time champions revealed their remaining group of 15 gamers earlier this month.
Australia stated at the time that Starc had withdrawn from the tournament as a consequence of private causes they usually supported the transfer.
The skilled fast has offered additional readability on why he isn’t half of the Aussies’ Champions Trophy marketing campaign.
Starc elaborated on the matter when talking on the Willow Talk podcast in Australia and the left-armer instructed that the most important reason he determined to not play at the Champions Trophy was to make sure he can be out there to function in the ICC World Test Championship Final towards South Africa in London in June.
“There are a few different reasons, some personal views. I had a bit of ankle pain through the Test series, so I just need to get that one right. Obviously, we have the Test final coming up and a West Indies tour after that. There is some IPL cricket as well. The main one at the top of my mind is the Test final. Get my body right, play some cricket in the next couple of months, and then ready to go for the Test final,” Starc stated as quoted by ICC.
Starc’s absence at the Champions Trophy hasn’t been felt simply but, with the likes of Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis, and Nathan Ellis performing effectively as the Aussies commenced their tournament with a stirring victory over arch-rival England.
A washout towards South Africa has left Australia needing a win towards Afghanistan of their remaining group match to succeed in the knockout stage of the occasion and permit Starc additional time to relaxation forward of a busy upcoming schedule.
Starc performed a significant position in serving to Australia to their first World Test Championship title towards India at The Oval in 2023 and has shaped a formidable partnership with fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood in serving to them qualify for this 12 months’s decider at Lord’s.
“I remember (when the World Test Championship was introduced) thinking it doesn’t mean much. But we got close to it and missed out, and watching it on TV we wanted to be part of it. Now we find ourselves sitting with a chance to win it for the second time on the trot,” the quick bowler stated. (ANI)
Published – February 28, 2025 06:00 am IST
