Australia Champions Trophy squad: Mitchell Starc opts out, Steve Smith captain of rejigged team | Cricket News

Australia were dealt a huge blow as pacer Mitchell Starc opted out of the forthcoming Champions Trophy in Pakan due to personal reasons, leaving the world champions without their ‘Big 3’ seam trio, including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
With Cummins missing out, Australia have named Steve Smith as the skipper of the rejigged 15-member side that also had to weigh in for the injured Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis who announced his retirement last week.
Australia will now have to contend with an inexperienced quarter of seam bowlers in Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis.
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Selectors said Starc would also not be available for the two warmup ODIs against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the first starting later on Wednesday.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” selector George Bailey said in a statement on Wednesday.
“His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament.”
Power hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in the 15-man squad and may replace Marsh at number three in the batting, with Matt Short and Travis Head likely to open. Legspinner Tanveer Sangha has also claimed a spot, having played the last of his two ODIs in September 2023 away to India.Story continues below this ad
Australia Champions Trophy 2025 final squad: Steve Smith (capt), 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.