NEW DELHI: Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc stated on Thursday that his absence from the current Champions Trophy was primarily due to a sore ankle, but “personal views” also played a role.
For the 50-over event in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, the 35-year-old was a surprising exclusion from an Australian team that was already thin, missing injured strike partners Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
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Unspecified “personal reasons” were given by Cricket Australia as the cause for Starc’s absence.
After suffering ankle soreness during Australia’s two-Test series in Sri Lanka last month, Starc stated for the first time since his withdrawal that his top priority was fitness.
However, he acknowledged that it wasn’t the sole issue.
“There are a few different reasons, some personal views,” Starc said on the Willow Talk podcast, which was co-hosted by his wife, Australia captain Alyssa Healy.
He did not elaborate on his “personal views” regarding the competition, which is being held in a highly secure environment.
“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 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 has a hectic schedule ahead of him. He was the only member of Australia’s “Big Three” fast bowling outfit to feature in all seven of the country’s recent Test matches against India and Sri Lanka.
Prior to the June WTC final against South Africa at Lord’s and a three-Test tour of the West Indies, he is scheduled to play for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League next month.
