Alyssa Healy addresses pregnancy question after husband Mitchell Starc withdraws from Champions Trophy for 'personal reasons' Veteran paceman won't feature in Pakistan and UAE Wife Alyssa Healy assures fans that he's OK By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 22:33 GMT, 12 February 2025 | Updated: 22:36 GMT, 12 February 2025 Alyssa Healy has assured cricket fans that her husband Mitchell Starc is OK after the veteran paceman withdrew from the Champions Trophy squad due to undisclosed 'personal reasons.' Starc's decision was a surprise given the 35-year-old played seven Tests in a row, including five in the home series against India. Fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are out injured, while all-rounder Marcus Stoinis recently retired from ODI cricket. The likes of Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshius will now be asked to carry the fast-bowling load in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Starc has simply explained that he's pulled out for 'personal reasons', but there was some speculation on social media that Healy might be pregnant - but she has assured fans this is not the case. 'He'll be right,' Healy told the Willow Talk podcast. Australia's chances of winning the ICC Champions Trophy suffered a huge blow after veteran paceman Mitchell Starc withdrew due to 'personal reasons' Alyssa Healy assures fans that her husband is OK and hasn't withdrawn from the squad because she is pregnant Brad Haddin, who was also on the episode, jokingly enquired if she was pregnant. 'I'm fine,' she said. 'Hadds suggested maybe I was pregnant but I can guarantee that I'm not. Yeah we're fine.' Steve Smith will captain the new-look team in place of Cummins. Chairman of selectors George Bailey said Starc's call was a choice they fully supported. 'We understand and respect Mitch's decision,' Bailey said. '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 it does provide an opportunity for someone else to make a mark on the tournament.' Starc's decision to pull out was a surprise given the 35-year-old played seven Tests in a row Starc was the only fast bowler used in two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle, taking six wickets in the spin-friendly conditions. His absence hinders Australia's chances of winning the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2009. Australia will play its first match of the Champions Trophy against England on February 22 in Lahore. Australia 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. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly. Steve Smith Share or comment on this article: Alyssa Healy addresses pregnancy question after husband Mitchell Starc withdraws from Champions Trophy for 'personal reasons' Add comment