Mitchell Starc reveals mystery reasons for Champions Trophy absence, injury update

Mitchell Starc has revealed the injury which primarily kept him out of Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign, but also conceded “personal views” played a part in his decision.

Mitchell Starc has revealed an ankle problem is the primary reason for his withdrawal from the Champions Trophy, but also conceded “personal views” played a part in his decision.

It comes amid pre-tournament rumours that there was some consternation amongst Australian and other international players, including Starc, about security and safety in Pakistan.

This underlying disquiet across the ranks has only been exacerbated by the unfair playing field created by India being allowed to play all their matches out of a haven in Dubai while every other nation must travel around Pakistan to play – and in and out of the UAE to face India.

Starc does not specify or go into any further depth about what his “personal views” were in his exclusive interview with The Willow Talk podcast, hosted by Adam Peacock and wife, Alyssa Healy.

When the Champions Trophy squad was announced, Cricket Australia explained Starc had withdrawn from the tournament for “personal reasons”.

Mitchell Starc is a warhorse of the Australian bowling attack. Picture: AFP

If not for the ankle soreness that plagued him in Sri Lanka it’s understood Starc, the iron man of Australian cricket, would have joined Australia’s ODI squad in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in any case, regardless of what some of his other concerns may have been.

“There’s a few different reasons, some personal views, I had a bit of ankle pain through the Test series,” Starc told Willow Talk.

“(I just wanted to) get that one (the ankle) right. Obviously we have the Test final coming up (in June) and then a West Indies tour after that.

“There’s some IPL cricket as well, but the main one at the top of my mind is the Test final.

“I’ll get my body right, play some cricket in the next couple of months and then be ready to go for the Test final.”

If anyone in the Australian set-up deserved a spell for this Champions Trophy it is Starc, who has made himself available for virtually every series he’s been available for his whole career.

To the point that Starc has sacrificed upwards of $15 million dollars of Indian Premier League money by prioritising playing for Australia in front of all else.

Mitchell Starc is approaching his 100th Test match for Australia. Picture: Getty Images

It’s for this reason that Starc is on the verge of playing 100 Test matches, a mark he will bring up in the last Test of the West Indies if he stays fit and plays all four overseas Tests before the Ashes.

Cricket Australia said at the time the squad was announced that it supported Starc’s decision, “the reasons for which remain private.”

“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” National Selector, George Bailey said, while highlighting Starc’s undying commitment to representing Australia.

Starc and the Australian team blazed a trail as the first international team to tour to Pakistan for many years when they played Tests there in 2022.

But the fact underlying anxiety about playing in Pakistan would still exist is hardly surprising in a country where armed guards and military style security follow your every move.

Australia's Mitchell Starc takes a catch during the Test series against Sri Lanka. Picture: AFP

There is an overall feeling amongst rival teams at the Champions Trophy that the integrity of the tournament has been compromised by the rails run given to India.

The all-powerful BCCI has refused to play matches in Pakistan due to political and security reasons and have insisted in playing all their matches out of Dubai.

That means if India is in the final, it will be in Dubai, where they will have been based without moving the entire tournament.

Australian captain Pat Cummins said the advantage to India was undeniable.

“I think it’s good in that the tournament can go on, but obviously it does give them (India) a huge advantage playing on the same ground,” Cummins told Yahoo.

“They already look very strong and they’ve got that obvious benefit of playing all their games there.”

Originally published as Mitchell Starc reveals mystery reasons for Champions Trophy absence, injury update