'He'll be right': Alyssa Healy downplays Mitchell Starc’s mysterious Champions Trophy withdrawal

Australia's hopes of winning the Champions Trophy have been dealt another major blow with fast bowler Mitchell Starc opting out due to "personal reasons".

Five members of Australia's original 15-man squad for the 50-over tournament are now unavailable in Pat Cummins (ankle), Josh Hazlewood (hip and calf), Mitchell Marsh (back), Marcus Stoinis (retirement) and Starc.

Cricket Australia finalised its 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy on Wednesday, as preparation heats up for the tournament set to be hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates between February 19 and March 9.

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Starc has also been ruled out of Australia's two-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Colombo on Wednesday.

"Cricket Australia respects and supports Starc's decision, the reasons for which remain private," CA said in a statement.

CA selection chairman George Bailey hailed the left-arm quick's magnificent service to Australian cricket.

"Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia," Bailey said.

"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."

The CA statement added: "Starc has requested the media to respect his privacy regarding this decision and will not be making any comment".

Hours after the squad was announed, Starc's wife, Alyssa Healy, was prodded on the mysterious withdrawal during her weekly appearance on the Willow Talk Podcast.

Healy kept a light-hearted tone and suggested there wasn’t a major issue.

"Don't look at me, I don't know, I haven't asked him yet," Healy said.

"He'll be right. He went to Sri Lanka … and did that leg of the tour. He's fine, everyone. I'm fine, more importantly.

“Hadds [Brad Haddin] suggested that maybe I was pregnant, but I can guarantee that I'm not.

"We're fine. Move on."

The absences of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood mean the Australians will be without the three quicks who spearheaded their 50-over World Cup triumph in India in 2023.

Australia's mainline fast bowlers for the Champions Trophy are Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson.

Starc's withdrawal has stripped 127 ODI games and 244 wickets from the Australian squad.

The veteran speedster averages 23.30 in ODI cricket and has snared nine five-fors.

Abbott is Australia's most experienced quick in the Champions Trophy squad, having played 26 ODIs for a return of 29 wickets.

Ellis has taken 10 wickets from eight ODIs, Dwarshuis has picked up one wicket from one match, and Johnson is wicketless after two games.

Australia could also get overs out of all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who's captured seven wickets from 11 ODIs.

Australia has two left-arm quicks for the Champions Trophy in Dwarshuis and Johnson.

Steve Smith will captain the team in the absence of Cummins.

Australian squad for Champions Trophy

Steve Smith (c), 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