Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc on Monday (January 30) confirmed that he will be missing the first Test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, slated to get underway on February 9 in Nagpur.

Starc will not feature in the opening Test as a result of a finger injury that he sustained during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa last month, which also ruled him out of the final Test of that series.

Speaking at the Australian Cricket Awards, the left-arm pacer said he is hoping to join his teammates in Delhi ahead of the second Test.

“It’s on track..still a couple of weeks and then probably meet the guys in Delhi..after..hopefully, a first Test match win..get myself into training over there,” Starc said.

During the India tour, Australia will also play Test matches in Dharamshala (March 1-5) and Ahmedabad (March 9-13).

Talking about the India tour, Starc acknowledged that it will be a “great challenge” and also wished “good success” to both men’s and women’s teams.

The Australian women’s side is all set to travel to South Africa for the T20 World Cup, starting February 10.

“I guess you never really know what to expect from the conditions in India but we have a fair idea, that it is obviously going to turn. You never quite know until you start the game or decide which wicket to play on. So, it is going to be a great challenge,” Starc said on the sidelines of the Australia Cricket Awards.

“The team is in as good a position that we can be heading into an Indian tour. It’s exciting with the women going for the World Cup and we have a long tour of India. So plenty of good cricket to watch over the next couple of months, so we’re just wishing for some good success for Australia.”