Cricket-Starc pulls out of Champions Trophy, Smith to lead Australia

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Fifth One Day International - England v Australia - Bristol County Ground, Bristol, Britain - September 29, 2024 Australia's Mitchell Starc Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy for personal reasons, leaving the squad without its three frontline quicks for the ODI tournament in Pakistan and the United Arab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

Starc's withdrawal comes after pace stalwarts Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were ruled out due to injuries.