Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Starc cites ‘ankle pain and personal reasons’ as the reasons behind his withdrawal. The pacer was initially included in Australia’s squad but has withdrawn due to personal reasons. He joins skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh in being ruled out of the tournament due to their respective injuries. Australia face Afghanistan in their final group match to reach the knockout stage of the event. The Aussies commenced their tournament with a victory over arch-rival England. The tournament runs until the end of the month when the final takes place at Lord’s. The final will be played between India and South Africa on May 31. The winner will go on to play in the ICC World Test Championship Final in London in June. The match will be the first time Australia have played in the final of the ICC Test Championship. Australia have won the competition twice before, in 1994 and in 2023. The last time they won the final was against India at The Oval in 1994.
