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Alyssa Healy has clarified Mitchell Starc’s withdrawal from the 2025 Champions Trophy is due to workload, not family reasons.
Alyssa Healy (L) and Mitchell Starc. (Photo: Cricket Australia/X)
Australia women’s captain Alyssa Healy has clarified that her husband, Mitchell Starc’s decision to opt out from the 2025 Champions Trophy due to ‘personal reasons’ has nothing to do with their family, like pregnancy. She pointed to Starc’s extra recent workload but said that she hadn’t spoken to him about the subject.
The left-arm pacer played all five Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and then two more on the away tour of Sri Lanka in three months. But the mention of ‘personal reasons’ in Cricket Australia (CA)’s statement created a buzz on the internet. Australia has already been dealt two big blows with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins’ absence because they are “managing some ongoing injuries” and will undergo rehab.
“Don’t look at me. I don’t know (laughs). I haven’t asked him yet,” Healy said on the Willow Talk podcast when the topic was brought up.
“He went to Sri Lanka as well and did that leg of the tour. So yeah, he is fine everyone,” said Healy. “I am fine. Hadds (Brad Haddin) suggested maybe I was pregnant but I can guarantee that I’m not. Yeah we’re fine… Move on,” she added.
Chair of the CA national selection panel George Bailey said the team respected Starc’s decision.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” Bailey said. “Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.”
Australia will be led by Steve Smith and the squad looks quite light on paper for the tournament which will begin on February 20 in Pakistan. Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Seam Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis form the second-string pace-attack.
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis also announced his retirement just before the tour, leading to Aaron Hardie’s selection.
“While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event,” Bailey said.
Australia’s Squad For Champions Trophy: 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, and Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
