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After Australia skipper Pat Cummins shared a positive update on veteran pacer Mitchell Starc’s fitness after the completion of the Melbourne Test, first choice wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey has also broken silence on Starc’s availability for the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test, set to be played from January 3 till 7 in Sydney.
The Aussie wicketkeeper-batter reavealed that the left-arm pacer will push through his rib injury and play the final Test of the series. It is to be noted that Starc’s injury has added to Australia’s worries after Josh Inglis was also ruled out due to calf strain. The pacer was seen holding to his back since day three of the Boxing Day Test.
He'll be ready for the contest: Alex Carey on Mitchell Starc’s injury
Speaking ahead of the Sydney Test, Alex Carey said that Starc will be “fine” and “ready for the contest”. "He'll be fine. He will push through," Carey told the media in Sydney. "I've played with Starcy (Mitchell Starc) for a long time now and he is one of the toughest cricketers that I've played with. He'll grimace and grab his rib without a doubt at times but he'll be ready for the contest,” he added.
However, a decision on Mitchell Starc’s availability will be made closer to the final Test, Australia will eye to reclaim the BGT for the first time since 2014-15 season. On the other hand, India will push for a win in order to draw the series and retain the trophy for record-extending fifth time.
Australia’s squad for fifth BGT Test against India
Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
