Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy for personal reasons, leaving the squad without its three frontline quicks for the ODI tournament in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Steve Smith's Australia faces a major setback as frontline pacer Mitchell Starc withdraws from the Champions Trophy for personal reasons. Injuries to key players further deplete their squad. Despite the challenges,

Steve Smith is poised to remain Australia captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, while India's Champions Trophy hopes take a hit as star quick Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out.

Australia have suffered another significant blow with pacer Mitchell Starc set to miss the 2025 Champions Trophy due to personal reasons. Steve Smith will lead the side in the absence of the injured Pat Cummins.

Australia are set to name Steve Smith as their captain for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Travis Head was in contention as well but as per reports, the selectors were impressed by Smith's captaincy in the recently concluded Test series against Australia.

With Pat Cummins missing out, Australia have named Steve Smith as the skipper of the rejigged 15-member side that also had to weigh in for the injured Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis who announced his retirement last week.

SYDNEY: Steve Smith-led Australia will be without their frontline pace attack at the Champions Trophy after fast bowler Mitchell Starc withdrew from the tournam

Australia made as many as five changes to their final squad for the Champions Trophy, set to commence next week in Pakistan. Some untimely injuries and Marcus Stoinis' retirement forced Australia's hand to mine their reserves to basically pick a whole new pace attack,

In Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood's absence, Australia will depend on Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, and Spencer Johnson in the Champions Trophy.