Australia's difficult build-up to the Champions Trophy is hit further by a 49-run defeat by Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy to leave Australia without any of its three front-line fast bowlers.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy for personal reasons, leaving the squad without its three frontline quicks for the ODI tournament in Pakistan and the United Arab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

Australia seamer Mitchell Starc opts out of their Champions Trophy squad to continue the two-time winners' disruptive build-up.

Australia have named their five replacements: Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha. In Cummins’ absence, Steve Smith, who captained Australia to a 2-0 test series win in Sri Lanka, will lead Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The reigning ODI World champions announced their final squad for Champions Trophy after suffering an injury crisis. Read below for details.

Marcus Stoinis is also unavailable after announcing his retirement from ODI cricket last week and pulled out of the 15-man squad

Australia have suffered another significant blow with pacer Mitchell Starc set to miss the 2025 Champions Trophy due to personal reasons. Steve Smith will lead the side in the absence of the injured Pat Cummins.

The ODI World Cup champions have been forced into a host of changes to their squad with all their first-choice quicks now missing

Australia selector George Bailey insists he ‘understands and respects’ Mitchell Starc’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming Champions Trophy. The 35-year-old left-armer will not be sharing his reason for pulling out of the tournament and has asked for privacy.