Follow UsIt is one complete circle for Steve Smith as Australia captain after he was named as skipper of the national side for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 12 (Wednesday). The last time Smith led an Australian team in an ICC competition was during the 2017 Champions Trophy.
The biggest shocker, though, for Australia came in the form of Mitchell Strac withdrawing from the tournament for personal reasons. This means that the trio of Josh Hazlewood, Starc, and Pat Cummins will not be present for the marquee event, and the Australian pace attack will sport a new look altogether.
A cricket.com.au report also said that since Starc returned to Australia just after the end of the two Tests, he will not feature in the two-ODI series against Sri Lanka.
"We understand and respect Mitch’s decision. His loss is, of course, a blow to the Champion’s Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity for someone else to make a mark on the tournament,” head of the senior selection panel of Cricket Australia, George Bailey, was quoted as saying.
The Australian pace attack now combines Sean Abbot, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson and all-rounder Aaron Hardie. In the spin department, they would have Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa and the part-time options of Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head to go with.
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. Traveling reserve: Cooper Connolly.