Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is likely to miss the first Test match against India, starting on February 9 in Nagpur in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. He hinted at his exclusion from the XI for the match due to a finger injury. The pacer hopes to get fit before the start of the second Test match, which will take place in Delhi.
Mitchell Starc suffered an injury on the middle finger of his left hand. after he detached a tendon from his bone. The incident took place during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. The pacer still bowled with a wounded finger in the second innings of the test, however, he missed out on the subsequent Test in Sydney.
Speaking to AAP at the launch of Amazon Prime’s The Test documentary, Mitchell Starc gave an update on his injury. He said as quoted by cricket.com.au,
“That’s probably likely (missing the first Test). We’ll see how we’re placed at the end of the month. Hopefully, I am there for the second Test if they want to play me. Maybe I can make some footmarks for Gazza (Nathan Lyon) or something. We’ll see how the finger is.”
With Australia's first Test against India now just a month away, Mitchell Starc has conceded he is unlikely to be fit for the series opener | #INDvAUShttps://t.co/7wuZcxsMKC
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 9, 2023
Cameron Green also likely to miss the first Test against India
In another blow to Australia, all-rounder Cameron Green is also likely to miss the first test match against India. He also suffered a finger injury during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green’s injury may pave the way for Josh Hazlewood to play the first Test against India. This will be his second Test in Asia since 2017.
The Border Gavaskar Trophy will be instrumental in deciding the finalists of the World Test Championship. Australia needs at least a draw in the series to book their place in the finals. Currently, they have 136 points with a points percentage (PCT) of 75.55. Meanwhile, India needs to win three out of the four games, to get through to the final, alongside Australia. If the scoreline is 2-2, India will qualify if Sri Lanka fails to win two matches against New Zealand.
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