Injured Starc fractures Aussiehopes
Leftarm pacer is the second Australian after Mitchell Marsh to return home with injury before third Test
Mitchell Starc is going home dealing the Australian cricket team a massive blow ahead of the third Test starting in Ranchi on March 16.
Mitchell Starc is the second Australian cricketer to return injured. Mitchell Marsh was the first man on the injury list with an injured shoulder. Starc has a fractured foot.
Mitchell Starc was Australia’s pace spearhead. His absence will hurt Australia, who lost the second Test by 75 runs. Australia had won the first Test in Pune.
Even though he has captured just five wickets in the first two Tests, his contribution with the bat has been significant.
CRUCIAL CONTRIBUTION
It was the 27-year-old Starc’s half-century in the first Test in Pune that helped his side take a formidable lead against the hosts and beat them by 333 runs.
It was a classic display of attacking cricket with the visitors reeling at 205 for the loss of nine wickets when he scored a quickfire 63-ball 61.
“Mitchell experienced some pain in his right foot during the second Test in Bangalore which unfortunately had not subsided a few days after the Test as we had hoped,” said team physiotherapist David Beakley.
“We made the decision to scan his foot in Bangalore this morning and unfortunately it has revealed a stress fracture.
“Subsequently, this means Mitchell will be unavailable for the remainder of the tour of India and will return home to Australia to start his rehabilitation,” Beakley added.
ADVANTAGE INDIA
Ahead of the series, Indian captain Virat Kohli singled out Starc as the tourists’ dangerman, saying he “is a world-class bowler”.
“He has learnt the art of reverse swing and bowling with the old ball as well. It’s amazing to see, the way he has developed his skills,” Kohli added.
Starc, known for his yorkers and reverse swing, suffered a stress fracture in his right foot during the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide in November, 2015.
He had an ankle surgery the following month which ruined his season and the World T20 tournament in March, 2016.
In 11 Tests since return, Starc has claimed 57 wickets at an average of
24.8 runs apiece.
Mitchell experienced some pain in his right foot during the second Test in Bangalore which unfortunately had not subsided a few days after the Test as we had hoped DAVID BEAKLEY, Australia physio