IndvsAus: Mitchell Starc may be out of the first test against India

Sydney. Injured Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has indicated that he will not be able to play in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India starting on February 9 in Nagpur. Starc said that he is likely to be available from the second Test. Starc injured his left finger while attempting a catch on the first day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. He bowls with the left hand only. Starc was diagnosed with a tendon injury in his middle finger and subsequently missed the third and final Test against South Africa in Sydney.

The Australian Associated Press quoted Starc as saying on Monday that there is a possibility (I will not be able to play in the first Test). Let’s see how the situation is at the end of the month. He said that hopefully if they want me to play, I will be there for the second Test. We will see how the finger position goes. Cameron Green, who fractured his finger in the Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground itself, is also not sure to play in the first Test. Green’s finger was hit by Enrich Norkia’s bouncer.

Josh Hazlewood, however, is likely to play in Nagpur, which will be his second Test in Asia since 2017. Hazlewood was in good form during the third and final Test against South Africa in Sydney where he took four wickets in the first innings to force the visitors to follow on but inclement weather resulted in a draw. Test captain Pat Cummins has also told Hazlewood to play in Nagpur Test.