Injured Australian tempo bowler Mitchell Starc has indicated he’ll most actually miss the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar collection towards India at Nagpur from February 9, saying he needs to be out there from the second Test onwards. Starc suffered an harm on the opening day of the Boxing day Test towards South Africa, hurting the finger of his bowling arm whereas trying a catch. The 32-year-old Starc was recognized with a indifferent tendon within the center finger and missed the third and remaining Test towards the Proteas at Sydney.

“That’s probably likely (I will miss the first Test). We’ll see how we’re placed at the end of the month,” Starc was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press on Monday.

“Hopefully I am there for the second Test if they want to play me. We’ll see how the finger is.” With all-rounder Cameron Green additionally not a certainty for the opening Test on account of a fractured finger he suffered throughout the MCG sport after being hit by an Anrich Nortje bouncer, Australia are left wanting tempo bowling back-up.

However, Josh Hazlewood will probably play the Nagpur sport — his second Test in Asia since 2017.

Hazlewood was in effective type throughout the third Test towards the Proteas in Sydney the place he claimed 4 first-innings wickets, forcing the vacationers to observe on. But climate performed spoilsport and the match resulted in a draw.

Test skipper Pat Cummins too gave his verdict on Hazlewood, saying he’s a certainty for the Nagpur Test.

“No qualms picking (Hazlewood), you know what you’re going to get and it is quality,” stated Cummins on Monday.

“Getting four or five wickets on that (Sydney) wicket. Every time he (Hazlewood) bowled he looked threatening.” Last yr’s Ashes hero Scott Boland too may very well be in rivalry for a doable third pacer’s slot with Green too uncertain. But Cummins stated there can be no strain to incorporate three quicks, as Travis Head has given him a brand new choice with helpful off-spin throughout the Sydney Test.

“Over there (India), you pick two spinners. You think it is going to be quite a spinning wicket,” Cummins stated.

“Travis Head, Marnus (Labuschagne), Smudge (Steve Smith). They all come into it a bit more. Generally if you’re picking two spinners you’re not expecting it to be a long game,” added Cummins.

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