Mitchell Starc reveals ‘personal’ reason behind Champions Trophy absence

The reasons why arguably Australia’s best bowler isn’t at the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan have been revealed.

Mitchell Starc has revealed that “personal views” rather than private issues were behind the decision to miss Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign.

The 35-year-old shocked the cricket world by pulling out of the 50-over international tournament and initially said “personal reasons” were behind his decision to stay behind in Australia.

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Cricket Australia said at the time they supported Starc’s decision but the details behind why he made the call would “remain private”.

While his wife, Australian women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy, was non-committal when quizzed about his decision to stay down under while his teammates travelled to Pakistan.

Starc was the only member of Australia’s fast bowling brigade to play in all seven of the national team’s Test matches – five against India and two against Sri Lanka – over the summer.

And his absence was a huge blow to Australia’s hopes of claiming the Champions Trophy.

However, Starc opened up about the situation this week on the Willow Talk podcast, suggesting he didn’t want to play the tournament in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

“There are a few different reasons, some personal views,” Starc told the Willow Talk podcast.

“I had a bit of ankle pain through the Test series (in Sri Lanka), so I just need to get that one right.

Fans were concerned something may have been wrong with Mitchell Starc or his wife Alyssa Healy (pictured together) after the Aussie quick cited “personal reasons” for pulling out of the Champions Trophy. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

 ”Obviously we have the Test (Championship) final coming up and a West Indies tour after that. There is some IPL cricket as well.

“But the main one at the top of my mind is the Test final. Get my body right, play some cricket in the next couple of months and then be ready to go for the Test final.”

Starc didn’t elaborate on his “personal views” regarding the Champions Trophy tournament, in which players are locked down in hotels and escorted to training and games under strict security measures.

Although one could glean from his comments it had to do with moral, ethical or safety concerns the fast bowler held.

His comments come amid pre-tournament rumours that there was some serious concern amongst Australian and other international players, including Starc, about security and safety in Pakistan.

Mitchell Starc’s absence was a major talking point. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The likes of India opted to play all their games in the UAE after refusing to enter Pakistan citing security and political reasons.

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

And if Starc’s absence was due to security concerns it would be understandable considering the constant presence of armed guards and militant security.

The Aussies - who are also without Starc’s fellow fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood - will secure a semi-final spot if they are to beat Afghanistan in Lahore on Friday night.

- with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Mitchell Starc reveals ‘personal’ reason behind Champions Trophy absence