Champions Trophy: Australia will miss Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood; Steve Smith to lead

The Australian cricket team suffered yet another setback as spearhead pacer Mitchell Starc pulled out of the ICC Champions Trophy that will be played later this month in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates for personal reasons.

Australia will now go into the tournament that they have not won since 2009 with a completely new bowling line-up.

Starc was the only Australian pacer from the 'big three' attack to participate in all seven Test matches against India and Sri Lanka this summer.


While Hazlewood was ruled out mid-way though the Border Gavaskar Trophy in December last year, Cummins suffered an ankle injury after the series against India.

The pace trio had led Australia to an ODI World Cup in India just over year year go. The team will also miss all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who is nursing a back injury and Marcus Stoinis, who abruptly quit ODI cricket last week.

Steve Smith will captain Australia the Champions Trophy.

Starc was uncomfortable during the second innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. He appeared to have a left ankle problem after bowling just four overs. He has requested privacy and would not comment on his decision.

The reasons behind Starc's departure are still unknown, but Cricket Australia has stated that they fully back the 35-year-old.

"We understand and respect Mitch's decision," chair of the national selection panel George Bailey said today.

"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 Champion's Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity for someone else to make a mark on the tournament."

With the departure of the pace trio, Australia's final 15-man Champions Trophy roster now includes new faces like Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis.

Australia has won the Champions Trophy twice, in 2006 and 2009.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), 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