WEBDESK: Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has revealed his real reason for skipping the ongoing Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.
The Australian team suffered back-to-back setbacks to their campaign when Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins, and all-rounder Mitch Marsh were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. The unexpected retirement of Marcus Stoinis also hurt their chances at the Champions Trophy 2025.
At the time Mitchell Starc withdrew from the Champions Trophy squad, Cricket Australia cited personal reasons as the cause for him missing the tournament.
In a recent interview with an Australia media outlet, Mitchell Starc primarily attributed the reasons for missing the Champions Trophy to an ankle injury.
“There are several reasons, some personal, and I also dealt with some ankle pain throughout the Test series against Sri Lanka. So, I’m focused on getting that sorted, especially with the Test final coming up and the West Indies tour shortly after. There’s also the IPL to consider, but the Test final is my main priority right now. I’m aiming to get my body right, play some cricket in the coming months, and prepare for the Test final,” Starc shared on the Willow Talk podcast.
The left-arm pacer emphasized that his primary focus remains on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, followed by a Test series against the West Indies. His withdrawal from the Champions Trophy has sparked discussions regarding the tournament’s format and its scheduling.
Looking ahead, Australia faces a crucial challenge in what appears to be a qualifier, with the victor advancing to the semi-finals. Interestingly, even if the Australian team falls short in this match, they will still have a chance to qualify, provided England secures a significant victory over South Africa.
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