As Australia gears up for the Champions Trophy 2025, two of their most experienced players, Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc, have a rare opportunity to script history. If Australia secures the title, the duo will become the only cricketers to win every senior ICC tournament, further cementing their status as legends of the game.
However, the road to glory won’t be easy, as the team has suffered a major setback with the injuries of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, ruling them out of the tournament. Their absence puts extra pressure on Starc to lead the bowling attack and on Smith to anchor the batting unit.
Smith & Starc’s Remarkable ICC Trophy Collection
Both players have played pivotal roles in Australia’s dominance across formats, winning:
✅ 2015 ODI World Cup
✅ 2023 ODI World Cup
✅ 2021 T20 World Cup
✅ 2023 World Test Championship
Now, with the Champions Trophy being the only missing piece in their ICC silverware collection, Smith and Starc will aim to complete the full set.
Most ICC Tournament Wins by Players
🏆 5 Titles
- Ricky Ponting (WC 1999, 2003, 2007 & CT 2006, 2009)
🏆 4 Titles
- Adam Gilchrist (WC 1999, 2003, 2007 & CT 2006)
- Glenn McGrath (WC 1999, 2003, 2007 & CT 2006)
- Shane Watson (WC 2007, 2015 & CT 2006, 2009)
- David Warner (WC 2015, 2023 & WT20 2021, WTC 2023)
- Steven Smith (4)* (WC 2015, 2023 & WT20 2021, WTC 2023)
- Mitchell Starc (4)* (WC 2015, 2023 & WT20 2021, WTC 2023)
(Smith & Starc can move to 5 titles with a Champions Trophy win in 2025.)
Starc’s Unbeaten Streak in ICC Finals
One of the most astonishing records that Mitchell Starc holds is his undefeated streak in ICC finals. Every time Australia has reached an ICC final with Starc in the XI, they have won. His performances in these matches have often been game-changing, proving his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters the most.
In contrast, Steven Smith was part of Australia’s only ICC final defeat in recent history—the 2010 T20 World Cup final against England, where Australia lost by 7 wickets.
Smith & Starc’s Heroics in ICC Tournaments
2015 ODI World Cup
- Steven Smith: Australia’s leading run-scorer with 402 runs at an average of 67, including:
- Quarterfinal: 65 vs Pakistan
- Final: 56 vs New Zealand*
- Only century in the tournament: 105 vs India in the Semi-Final
- Mitchell Starc: Joint leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps (equal to Trent Boult).
- Best performance: 6/28 vs New Zealand in the group stage, regarded as one of the best spells in ODI history.
Can Smith & Starc Lead Australia to Champions Trophy Glory?
With Australia aiming for their first Champions Trophy title in 16 years, all eyes will be on Smith and Starc to deliver under pressure. While the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood is a huge blow, Starc’s record in ICC finals and Smith’s experience in crunch moments could prove crucial.
If Australia lifts the Champions Trophy 2025, Smith and Starc will match Ricky Ponting’s record of five ICC tournament wins, solidifying their status among the greatest match-winners in Australian cricket history.
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