India vs Australia: In what comes as a massive setback for the Australian cricket team ahead of high-octane Border-Gavaskar Trophy, legendary pacer Mitchell Starc has confirmed his absence from India vs Australia 1st Test, set to be played in Nagpur from February 9 to 13. Starc made the announcement on stage during the Cricket Australia awards when a host asked the veteran speedster to share an update about his fitness.
Confirming himself not being available for IND vs AUS 1st Test, Starc said: "I am 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's latest announcement confirmed that he will most probably return to action in India vs Australia 2nd Test, set to be played in Delhi from February 17 to 21. Notably, there is still no official confirmation whether Starc will be available for the 2nd Test or not.
Starc sustained a finger injury at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and has been bowling with protection in practice, but has not been permitted to do so during a game.
Along with Starc, all-rounder Cameron Green, Australia's other major injury concern, might also be doubtful for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Last month, Green fractured his finger in a match against South Africa during the Melbourne Test.
"Where he's positioned at the moment, his biggest challenge is bowling. 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," Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said as quoted by ESPN.