Ashes 2017-18: Mitchell Starc doubtful for Melbourne Test

Starc was seen hobbling on crutches after Australia’s comprehensive victory over England in Perth.

Mitchell Starc picked up a foot injury during the fifth day of the Perth Test | Getty

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who is leading the highest wicket-takers chart in the ongoing Ashes series with 19 scalps, has been cleared of a serious foot injury but still remains doubtful for the Boxing Day Test.

The 27-year-old pacer was seen hobbling on crutches after Australia’s comprehensive victory over England by an innings and 41 runs in the third Test at WACA. However, the scans confirmed that he only has a bruised heel.

The injury was assessed in Sydney and the left-armer was "cleared of serious injury", cricket.com.au said on Wednesday, adding that he would associate with Australia's 13-member squad later this week in Melbourne.

Considering the fact that Australia has already secured the urn, legendary Australia spinner Shane Warne has said that Starc should be rested given that the entire summer of limited-overs cricket still to be played and a tour of South Africa in March to come.

“I always want to see the best possible Australian team take the field. And I don’t like the idea of players being rested,” Warne told the Herald Sun.

“But if Mitch Starc is not 100 percent right then I wouldn’t consider him for Boxing Day, even though I’m sure he is doing everything he can to play,” he added.

Starc was still on crutches as he went for scans on Wednesday but made it clear that he is keen to participate in the fourth Test in Melbourne.

“If it’s up to me, I’m playing but I think there’s a few other people in that conversation first,” Starc was quoted by cricket.com.au. as saying.

“I’ll get there on Friday over the next few days, and see how it pulls up go again,” he further said.

The tradition Boxing Day Ashes Test will start on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) while Sydney will host the fifth and final Test from January 4.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 20 Dec, 2017

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