Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc undergoes surgery after freak injury

New Delhi: Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has undergone surgery after suffering a deep laceration to his left shin during a practice session yesterday.

The 26-year-old, according to Cricket Australia, sustained a cut to his leg during a training mishap in Sydney on Wednesday and was being treated at St George hospital.

"Mitchell was taken to St George hospital in an ambulance this afternoon suffering a deep laceration to his left shin after colliding with some training equipment," Cricket Australia Chief Medical Officer John Orchard said.

According to reports, the New South Wales pacer landed awkwardly with his left knee hitting a piece of training equipment near a pop-up net. Surrounding players immediately called for medical support as he lay down on his back in discomfort.

"Fortunately there were no bone fractures or tendon damage to his leg and he underwent surgery this afternoon to clean the wound and received approximately 30 stitches," he added.

Strangely, Starc's freak injury completed a day of misery for Australian as news of injuries to Shaun Marsh and James Faulkner have surfaced earlier yesterday. The duo has already been pulled out of the forthcoming South Africa visit.

Starc has also been rested from the limited-overs tour in order to keep him fresh for the home Tests against South Africa and Pakistan.

He spearheaded Aussie attack in the recently concluded tour of Sri Lanka. In the three-match Test series, which they lost 0-3, he took 24 wickets three less than top wicket-taker Rangana Herath.

Australia won both the limited overs' series — 4-1 in ODIs, and 2-0 in T20Is — with Starc taking 12 and 4 wickets respectively as the leading wicket-taker.

Australia will play five One-Day Internationals in South Africa, starting September 30, at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Before the series, they will play a one-off ODI match with Ireland at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on September 27.

(With Agency inputs)