Australian sprinter Mitchell Starc remains optimistic about playing the second Test against India in Delhi, starting on Friday (February 17). The 32-year-old also feels batting won’t be an issue in the deciding Test match.
A key man in Australia’s attack, Starc missed the first Test in Nagpur due to a finger injury sustained while playing in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne against South Africa. The left-arm pacer could replace Scott Boland for Australia’s almost must-see game in Delhi.
Starc, who joined his teammates in Delhi on Tuesday night, said there is a good chance of playing on Friday, but a lot will also depend on the word of management and medical staff.
As quoted by perth nowhe said:
“I’d like to be a bit further along. It’s still a good chance, so it’s going to come down to how he reacts for the finale on Wednesday, how the medical staff see it, how the selectors and Pat and Ronnie feel about it too. I’ll do everything as much as possible to be fully available for selection, then it’s a discussion for the rest of the group involved.”
The left arm pacemaker revealed that he will play with a cap on his injured finger and continued:
“I don’t think batting is going to be a problem. So, it will be uncomfortable, but I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I think I’ll still play with a cap on my finger, that’s what I did in Melbourne.” Don’t put me on the field anyway.”
Australia missed out on the services of the ace bowler in the first Test, given the reverse spin on offer. In the Brisbane Test against South Africa, the New South Wales bowler crossed 300 wickets by dismissing Rassie van der Dussen.
“I’m not sure conditions will change much from last week” – Mitchell Starc
Starc is expecting another challenging contest for Australia in Delhi and believes conditions will be similar to the first Test. He added:
“Obviously it’s a week long challenge, but we move on to the second test and it presents a new challenge. I’m not sure the conditions will change too much from last week in terms of how the guys discussed it. I think judging For the In recent days, the windows in the back are similar in many ways to what is the center.
The tourists need a win or draw in Delhi to keep the successful series alive and the same should seal their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.