Mitchell Starc’s Champions Trophy Exit: Pain, Personal Decisions, and a Changed Australia Line-up
When you think of Australia’s fast bowling firepower, Mitchell Starc is always right in the mix. But things have changed, and not everyone saw this coming. Starc, at 35, has stepped away from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy squad, telling fans that a mix of persistent ankle pain and personal beliefs made up his mind.
This isn’t some last-minute pull-out from a warm-up match. Starc’s announcement sends ripples through the cricket world, especially given his form in the recent Tests against India and Sri Lanka. He played every single match during that stretch, proving his fitness for long-form cricket—at least most people thought so. But Starc admitted that the pain in his ankle was growing, especially during long stints in Sri Lanka’s tough conditions. Instead of risking long-term damage, he’s prioritizing rest and rehab for bigger targets coming up: the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa in June, followed by a challenging series in the West Indies.
Yet, it wasn’t just the physical side that led to Starc’s decision. He referenced “personal views” about the Champions Trophy, though he kept those details to himself. Organizers have announced heavy security for the event, and there’s buzz in cricket circles about politics around venues as well as demanding biosecurity arrangements. Starc’s comments hint that he wasn’t comfortable with something linked to the tournament beyond just his ankle.
Australia’s Fast Bowling Dilemma and Starc’s Next Steps
Australia has built its reputation on a trio of express pace bowlers—Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Now, for the first time in years, all three are missing from an ICC tournament squad. Hazlewood is still out with a side strain, while Cummins is recovering from a wrist injury. That leaves the Australian pace attack suddenly looking very light on experience. Up-and-comers like Jhye Richardson or Lance Morris might get their day in the sun, but it’s a big leap from state-level cricket to the heat of a Champions Trophy elimination match.
The timing of Starc’s withdrawal couldn’t be more dramatic. Australia is still fighting for a semifinal spot—they must beat Afghanistan in a do-or-die game, and now they’ll have to do it without their most reliable wicket-taker. The selectors have to hope that their Plan B bowlers can handle the pressure and conditions as well as the headlines.
Meanwhile, Starc isn’t just putting his feet up. He’s already set his sights on a stint with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League—a competition that will test both his fitness and form ahead of the WTC final and that West Indies tour. He says he wants to get ‘back to his sharpest’ for those two Test challenges. By skipping the Champions Trophy, he’s buying himself recovery time and a better chance of peaking when Australia needs him the most.
Starc’s decision is a reminder that even cricket’s toughest players find themselves weighing body, mind, and off-field realities. For now, fans will be watching closely: Can Australia’s next line of pace bowlers step up when it matters most, or will their rivals sense blood in the water?
