Mitchell Starc, Australia’s spearhead, suffered a serious injury during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. He was ruled out of the third Test in Sydney due to an injury to his middle finger on his left hand. However, the result favoured the Australians, who went on to win the three-match series 2-0.
During the Australia Cricket Awards, the Australian speedster provided an update on his fitness. Starc told Erin Holland that he is looking forward to the upcoming challenge of the India tour. Notably, Australia is set to play a four-match Test series against India beginning February 9.
“I am on track, still a couple of weeks and then probably meet the guys in Delhi..after..hopefully, a first Test match win..get myself into training over there,” Starc said as per 7Cricket’s Twitter post.
Furthermore, another Australian, all-rounder Cameron Green, is racing against the clock as the first Test begins. Cricket Australia has expressed concern about his bowling performances. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald provided an update on his questionable availability. In fact, he could miss the second Test match as well.
“I am on track, still a couple of weeks and then probably meet the guys in Delhi” – Mitchell Starc
“Where he’s positioned at the moment, his biggest challenge is bowling,” said McDonald.
“There is a lack of loading there, and one of the key reasons around us getting into this camp early is to make sure that we’re ready to go for the rigours of what the bowling unit [is] going to encompass. Building confidence is the main thing, setting him up to succeed in that first Test match, having enough time, that will be the critical question,” the head coach was quoted as saying as per ESPNCricinfo.
Australia will play India in a four-match Test series beginning February 9. It will be interesting to see how the visitors handle their injury problems and potential replacements in the worst-case scenarios. The four Tests will be played in Nagpur, New Delhi, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad, in that order.
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