Australia selector reacts to Mitchell Starc withdrawing from Champions Trophy

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Selector George Bailey says he 'understands and respects' Mitchell Starc's decision to pull out of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

The 35-year-old left-arm quickie won't be revealing why he's withdrawing from the competition and is asking to be left alone.

Australia will go for their third Champions Trophy win when the tournament commences on 19 February in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

– and the injured Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh.

Starc, who has 244 wickets in 127 one-day internationals, played all seven of Australia's recent Test matches against India and Sri Lanka.

‘We acknowledge and respect Mitch’s decision,’ chair selector George Bailey said.

'Mitch is highly regarded in the international cricket community for his dedication to the sport and his strong desire to represent Australia.'

‘His well-documented capacity to play through pain and hardship, as well as forgoing chances in other areas of his career to put his country first, deserves recognition.’

‘His loss is a setback for the Champions Trophy campaign, but it also gives another player a chance to make a positive impact on the tournament.’

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the Champions Trophy while regular captain Cummins is out with an injury.

Australia are in Group B alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa. They kick off their Champions Trophy campaign on February 22 against Ashes rivals England.

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Squad:

Steve Smith (captain), 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, Adam Zampa. Reserve players: Cooper Connolly.

Group A:

Bangladesh

India

New Zealand

Pakistan

Group B:

Afghanistan

Australia

England

South Africa

Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and co-hosts Pakistan make up Group A.

Before the Baggy Greens thrashed Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.

Australia's Champions Trophy preparations have taken another hit, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis pulling out of ODI cricket on the eve of the tournament.

‘The team has undergone a lot of changes over the past month due to some unfortunate injuries and Marcus Stoinis's decision to retire,’ the former Australia cricketer Bailey said.

‘The positive side of that is we've been able to draw on players who've had international experience and success over the past 12 months.

We've got a solid core of some of our most experienced players who'll provide a strong base for our bid to win this year's Champions Trophy.

‘We've got a variety of choices to pick the starting eleven for the tournament, and we'll decide on the team based on the opposition we're up against and the conditions they'll be playing in.’

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