Mitchell Starc hopeful of a comeback in Sri Lanka ODIs

The experienced left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc had injured his finger in the opening over of the first T20 against Sri Lanka earlier this month. In a follow-through, Starc split the index finger with his shoe. It resulted in him getting ruled out of the T20I series and the opening matches of the ODI series. 

In the last few days, the 32-year-old pacer has returned to training at full capacity. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules state that the bowlers can't use tapes on their fingers, thus keeping Starc away from the action. 

The bowling spearhead has reckoned that his stitches have been removed. But is not too sure about the recovery of his finger. But, he is hopeful of featuring in the ODI series, with three more games remaining.

"I'm still holding onto hope that I will," said Starc. 

"I had the stitches out (on Thursday). There's still a fair bit of glue still in the wound."

Starc said that once the team reaches Colombo, the team management will look hard at his recovery process. The 32-year-old added that the Test series is certainly on his mind and will not compromise on that aspect. Both the teams will lock horns in the longest format from the last week of June. 

"That will start to dissolve a bit more in the next couple of days. Once we get to Colombo we'll have a look at it again and see where it's at."

"I'm still training. It's just a matter of where the wound is at, and obviously with one eye on the Test series as well and not compromising that."

"I feel really good with the ball in hand," he said.

"I've had to bowl at training with the tape on, and it's purely that I can't do that in the fixture due to the ICC rules which is why I'm not playing."

"If it's game three, four, or five (that I play), I'm not sure yet. We're just making sure we're not compromising the Test series." Along with Starc, the Australian camp is marred by multiple injury concerns of Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Marsh, Kane Richardson, and Sean Abbott. 

The Sri Lanka team secured a victory by 26 runs in the 2nd ODI and have levelled the series 1-1. 

The 3rd ODI will be played on June 19 at Colombo; the visitors are expected to include all-rounder Cameron Green and hope for a comeback in the series.