Mitchell Starc has targeted Australia’s tour of India for his Test return after sustaining a serious finger injury against South Africa.
Key points:
- Starc and Cameron Green were injured during the Boxing Day Test
- Australian selectors have not announced a decision on their replacements for Sydney
- Starc bowled for Australia in the Proteas’ second innings at the MCG
Cameron Green also injured a finger in Australia’s convincing win over the Proteas at the MCG and will join Starc on the sidelines for the third and final Test of the series in Sydney starting on January 4.
Despite suffering a finger tendon injury on his bowling hand on Boxing Day, Starc bravely continued to bowl and bat for the remainder of the second Test to help Australia seal the series win.
The left-arm quick will aim to get himself fit for the blockbuster four-Test tour of India, which begins in February.
“It was nice to still play a role in the second innings,” Starc told ABC Sport.
“I’ll probably be out of action for a little bit now. I’ll have another scan when I get to Sydney and see a specialist and go from there.
“Obviously, the next one is the Indian tour to be right for.”
Starc said he was determined to bowl on Thursday, as he helped Australia to win by an innings and 182 runs.
“Painkillers are a wonderful thing and it’s a Test match … I didn’t want to leave the guys a man down,” he said.
Fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has declared himself fit to play at the SCG after he missed a third-straight Test with a side-strain injury.
Green’s mixed fortunes
It was a rollercoaster week for Green after he was bought for $3.15 million in the Indian Premier League auction, claimed his maiden five-wicket Test haul, but was struck on the hand while batting on Tuesday.
Green retired hurt on 9 but returned to bat on Wednesday and finished unbeaten with a gritty 51.
However, the 23-year-old did not take to the field during the Proteas’ second innings and will rest ahead of the India tour.
“Greeny is pretty close to being irreplaceable as a top-order batter that gives you another bowling option,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said.
“We’ll chat through all those combinations when we get a bit closer [to the SCG Test].”
Cummins said selectors would factor in India when picking the Australian Test XI to play at the SCG.
“It’s probably going to be the wicket in Australia that most closely resembles India,” he said.
“It might give us a chance to have a look at one or two players that will be on that Indian tour but the first priority is of course to win the Test match.”
ABC/AAP