Australian pace leader Mitchell Starc stated on Thursday that his absence from the current Champions Trophy 2025 was primarily due to a sore ankle, but that "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 pace partners Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Cricket Australia attributed Starc’s absence to unspecified “personal reasons".

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 didn't go into detail about his "personal views" on the competition, which is being held under stringent security in Pakistan. Australia is playing all of its Group stage matches in Pakistan.

“I had a bit of ankle pain through the (Sri Lanka) Test series. 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 added.

Starc was the only member of the Australia pace trio to play all of Australia’s last seven Tests against India and Sri Lanka. In the upcoming IPL 2025, Starc is set to turn out for Delhi Capitals and then will be part of the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s against South Africa in June. It will be followed by a three-Test tour of West Indies.

(AFP inputs)