Australia’s Mitchell Starc in motion throughout an ODI vs England on the Bristol County Floor, Britain, on September 29, 2024. — Reuters
Australian tempo spearhead Mitchell Starc Thursday stated a sore ankle was the primary difficulty that stored him out of the continued Champions Trophy, however “personal views” additionally factored into the choice.
The 35-year-old was a shock omission from a depleted Australian squad, additionally lacking injured strike companions Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, for the 50-over event in Pakistan and UAE.
Cricket Australia attributed Starc’s absence to unspecified “personal reasons”.
Talking for the primary time since his withdrawal, Starc stated his major concern was health after experiencing ankle ache throughout Australia’s two-Check sequence in Sri Lanka this month.
However he admitted it was not the one issue.
“There are a few different reasons, some personal views,” Starc stated on the Willow Speak podcast, which was co-hosted by his spouse, Australia captain Alyssa Healy.
He didn’t increase on what his “personal views” had been across the event, which is being performed below strict safety measures.
“I had a bit of ankle pain through the (Sri Lanka) Test series,” Starc added.
“So I just need to get that one right. Obviously, we have the (World Test Championship) final coming up and a West Indies tour after that.
“There’s some IPL cricket as nicely.
“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 was the one member of Australia’s “Big Three” quick bowling unit to play all of Australia’s final seven Assessments towards India and Sri Lanka and he has a busy calendar forward.
He’s set to play for Delhi Capitals within the Indian Premier League subsequent month earlier than the WTC ultimate at Lord’s towards South Africa in June, adopted by a three-Check tour of the West Indies.