Zeenews Sports Bureau
New Delhi: Australian paceman Mitchell Starc is set to miss the fourth and final Test against India in Delhi as he is set to fly home for an ankle surgery to get fit for the upcoming Ashes series in time.
Australian coach Mickey Arthur revealed that Starc would have been able to take part in the fourth Test but that would have only delayed the process and jeopardise is chances for Ashes.
“We were aware that Mitch would need surgery at some point in the future to have the spurs removed,” coach Mickey Arthur was quoted as saying in media reports.
“He could have continued playing but we want to take a proactive approach in managing Mitch to have him fit for the Ashes series in England. Our medical team will monitor his progress closely on whether he is available for selection for the ICC Champions Trophy,” he said.
Starc scored valuable 99 runs in Australia’s first innings in the third Test at Mohali besides taking two wickets as well.
He is the second Aussie pacer to leave the Indian tour after Jackson Bird.
The 26-year-old left India in February to have a precautionary scan that later confirmed stress injury in his back ruling him out of the entire tour.
James Pattinson will take Starc’s place in the playing XI after being suspended from the third Test due to disciplinary reasons.
First Published: Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 09:24