NEW DELHI: A finger injury kept him out of the first Test against India in Nagpur but Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is optimistic about his chances of making it to the playing XI for the second Test, starting Friday in New Delhi.
Starc, who got injured while fielding against South Africa in December has had his finger in a splint for weeks but despite the lingering effects of the injury, the 33-year-old is doing everything possible to be available for selection.
After an embarrassing loss in the first Test, the Aussies parachuted left-armer Starc into the squad ahead of the second Test.
“I’d like to be a little further down the road,” said Starc.
“Still a good chance of playing. It’ll come down to how it reacts by the end of the day, how the medical staff see it, how the selectors, skipper Pat Cummins and Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) feel about it.
“I’ll do everything I can to be available for selection.”
Starc told reporters he planned to bowl “as normal” but his finger was still lacking strength.
The paceman said that batting would be uncomfortable and he would wear a protective cap on his finger while fielding.
Starc may be one of only two fast bowlers in the side if all-rounder Cameron Green – also recovering from a finger injury – is fit to play, allowing the tourists to deploy three spinners.
The paceman said Australia were prepared for another challenging week on a testing wicket.
“I’m not sure we’ll see conditions change too much from last week with how the guys have discussed it,” Starc said. “Judging by the last couple of days, the wickets out back are similar in many ways to what the centre is.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
Starc, who got injured while fielding against South Africa in December has had his finger in a splint for weeks but despite the lingering effects of the injury, the 33-year-old is doing everything possible to be available for selection.
After an embarrassing loss in the first Test, the Aussies parachuted left-armer Starc into the squad ahead of the second Test.
“I’d like to be a little further down the road,” said Starc.
“Still a good chance of playing. It’ll come down to how it reacts by the end of the day, how the medical staff see it, how the selectors, skipper Pat Cummins and Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) feel about it.
“I’ll do everything I can to be available for selection.”
Starc told reporters he planned to bowl “as normal” but his finger was still lacking strength.
The paceman said that batting would be uncomfortable and he would wear a protective cap on his finger while fielding.
Starc may be one of only two fast bowlers in the side if all-rounder Cameron Green – also recovering from a finger injury – is fit to play, allowing the tourists to deploy three spinners.
The paceman said Australia were prepared for another challenging week on a testing wicket.
“I’m not sure we’ll see conditions change too much from last week with how the guys have discussed it,” Starc said. “Judging by the last couple of days, the wickets out back are similar in many ways to what the centre is.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
