Cricket News: Mitchell Starc update – will he be fit for the World Cup? | Will Mitchell Starc be fit for the start of the World Cup?
In welcome news for Australia, Mitchell Starc is fit and raring to go ahead of the World Cup. The left-armer is set to play the third and final ODI against India at Rajkot ahead of Australia’s two warm-up matches and World Cup opener at Chennai on October 8, also against India.
Starc has been recovering from injuries to both his shoulder and groin in the aftermath of the 2023 Ashes series. He injured his shoulder in the final Ashes Test, before discovering a groin problem when returning home from England.
However, Starc is now back bowling at full tilt. He missed the opening two ODIs against India to complete his recovery, but he was seen bowling on the practice pitches at Indore before the second match. Also, last Thursday, Starc completed an hour-long session bowling off his full run-up.
Mitchell Starc update – fast bowler set to play
Speaking to cricket.com.au before the second ODI against India, Starc said he’s “on track for the World Cup” after a successful bowling session on the Indore practice pitches.
“Hopefully I get a roll out in game three, and if not, we’ve got those two warm-up games (in Thiruvananthapuram on September 30 and Hyderabad on October 3)”, Starc said on Sunday.
“There was a few things going on during the Ashes, which we found out post-Ashes,” he continued. “There was a little bit going on in the (groin) region, so that’s obviously lengthened the recovery time. The shoulder has been good since the Ashes; it’s just making sure that I was ready to go for the World Cup and not compromising that.”
Starc’s impending return is a big boost for Australia. They have struggled both upfront and at the death in recent ODIs. In fact, they have failed to bowl their opponent out in their past five matches, and have conceded more than ten runs per over at the death.
