BGT 2023: Mitchell Starc hopeful of playing in 2nd Test against India
Starc broke his finger against South Africa [Twitter]
Australian pacer, Mitchell Starc is hopeful to recover on time for the start of the second Test against India in Delhi. Starc is recovering from a broken finger, and is hopeful that he gets an opportunity to feature in the Australia XI for the Test match.
Starc broke his finger while fielding off his bowling against South Africa in December. As a result, he has missed the Nagpur Test, and the visitors dearly missed his services, losing the game by an innings and 132 runs.
Starc stayed back in Sydney for his recovery process and landed in India on Saturday. Apart from Starc, Australia also missed the services of Josh Hazlewood, and Cameron Green due to injuries, and opted for the duo of Pat Cummins and Scott Boland to lead the pace attack.
However, two days before the second Test, Starc is hopeful that he recovers from the injury and gets a chance to be in the playing XI.
"I'd like to be a little further down the road," Starc said on Wednesday.
"Still a good chance so it'll come down to how it reacts by the end of (Wednesday), how the medical staff see it, how the selectors and Pat (Cummins) and Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) feel about it as well," he added.
Starc added that he is still feeling the after effects of the injury and is struggling to regain the full finger fitness.
"I'll do everything I can to be fully available for selection, then it's a discussion for the rest of the group involved. I don't think (batting will be an issue) so it's going to be uncomfortable but I don't think it's an issue," Starc added.
With just two days left before the Delhi Test, Australia have loads to ponder upon. Scott Boland had an average performance in Nagpur, and could be replaced by either Hazlewood and Starc (pending their injury status).
Cameron Green also faces race against time in order to be fully fit for the second game.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
