Mitchell Starc appears likely to be ruled out of his home Test in Sydney after suffering tendon damage to his finger.
The left-arm pace ace can bowl if required in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test, but a source with knowledge of the injury said his hopes of being fit for the final game of the series were extremely slim.
Mitchell Starc injured his finger on Boxing Day.Credit:AP
He will be assessed by medical staff after the completion of the game in Melbourne but with the eagerly awaited series in India on the horizon, no risk will be taken with such an important player.
Australia have the luxury of using the seam bowling of all-rounder Cameron Green, who starred with five wickets on the first day, to fill the void left by Starc as they push for victory in Melbourne.
There is also little need for selectors to roll the dice with Starc in Sydney, given Australia’s stranglehold on the three-game series and Josh Hazlewood’s likely availability after recovering from a side strain.
Selectors may also consider deploying two front-line spinners if conditions at the SCG favour slow bowling, as they traditionally have. Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and possibly even white-ball specialist Adam Zampa would be in contention if George Bailey’s panel leans that way.
Starc suffered the injury when the ball brushed the middle finger on his left hand as he attempted a diving catch in the outfield on the first day.
The finger appeared bent above the top knuckle, but Cricket Australia said he was experiencing soreness.
Starc left the field immediately, returning after about half an hour with his injured finger taped though he did not bowl again in the first innings. He would require permission from the umpires to bowl with taping on his finger.
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