Australia Captain Responds To Pregnancy Question After Mitchell Starc Pulls Out Of Champions Trophy

Just six days before the start of the Champions Trophy 2025, Australia find themselves in shambles with many first-choice players’ absence from the event. A few injury clouds and shocking retirement have crumbled their preparation for the eight-team tournament.

The Steve Smith-led side’s last victory in the Champions Trophy came during the final of the 2009 season against New Zealand at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. But, they couldn’t register a single victory in the next two editions of 2013 and 2017. A few games ended in washouts.

Australia is to miss a pace trio and quality all-rounders in the Champions Trophy.

The first trouble for the current ODI World champions came through the injury status of their all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. The Perth-born won’t take part in any action for the rest of the summer. Captain Pat Cummins missed the two Tests in Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child but was also recovering from the ankle injury that he picked during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra launches a ballistic attack on Indian Think Tank After Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

The New South Wales-born could get the required fitness in time. Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis announced his shocking ODI retirement with immediate effect. Josh Hazlewood, who took care of his back injury during the home Test series against India, picked up a hip issue and is ruled out of the Champions Trophy.

On February 12, the last of the famous pace-trio, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, pulled out of the event due to personal reasons. He has wished for full privacy on the reason and asked for no questions on the matter.

The selection committee, led by former captain George Bailey, announced Steven Smith as their new leader.

Alyssa Healy gives an update on Mitchell Starc’s fitness

The veteran pacer played in all seven Tests this summer against India and Sri Lanka. During the fourth fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Starc went through an injury scare and niggles. The most likely explanation was that he feels the importance of rest, but some have suggested that he might have concerns about traveling to Pakistan for the event.

However, that theory could be wrong, given Australia toured Pakistan in the past for three Tests. Among the other reasons on social media, few reckoned that it might have something to do with wife Alysa Healy. Virat Kohli, in the past, decided to take a break from the game to spend time with his partner.

But on the Willow Talk podcast on February 12, Healy moved to ensure that she and her husband are perfectly fine. The former also decided to miss the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League for the Up Warriorz.

“He'll be right. He's fine. I'm fine. Hadds suggested maybe I was pregnant, but I can guarantee that I'm not. Yeah, we're fine.” The wicket-keeper batter countered the former batter’s speculation of her pregnancy.

Also Read: Ex-Pakistan Captain Criticizes Shaheen Afridi; Demands Pacer’s Removal From Champions Trophy

“We understand and respect Mitch's decision. Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.” Bailey expressed in the statement.

Australia struggles against Sri Lanka’s spin attack

During the opening fixture of the two ODIs in Sri Lanka in RPS Colombo, Australia found the hosts at 135/8. But they failed to earn the visiting captain’s wicket, Charith Asalanka, who celebrated 127 runs in 126 deliveries at a strike rate of 100.79, thanks to 14 boundaries and five sixes.

Chasing 215, Australia limped at 85/6 in 18.2 overs. Alex Carey smashed an aggressive 41-run knock along with Aaron Hardie. But that wasn’t enough to save them from the 49-run defeat to go 1-0 down in the series.