Australia will be led by Steve Smith for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, and will be without the experienced bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. (More Cricket News)
The left-arm seamer, who played in Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series, has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons, for which haven't been disclosed by Cricket Australia (CA).
With Marcus Stoinis hanging up his ODI boots and Mitchell Marsh injured, the selectors have roped in Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha and Sean Abbott for the 15-man squad.
"We understand and respect Mitch's decision," George Bailey, chair of men's selectors, said of Starc who will also miss the two ODIs in Sri Lanka.
"Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
"His well documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded.
"His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament," Bailey added.
Thanks to the injuries in the bowling department and Stoinis' retirement, Cricket Australia were able to make as many as five changes to their preliminary squad for the upcoming tournament.
Australia are placed in Group B alongside the likes of Afghanistan, England and South Africa. Their first match is against on February 22 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, followed by their game against South Africa on February 25 in Rawalpindi.
They round up their group game against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 28.
Australia squad: Steve Smith, 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. [Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly]
