Australia's cricket team faces a significant setback as their star bowler Mitchell Starc will be absent from the opening ODI against India on Friday, September 21. The team's captain Pat Cummins confirmed this during a pre-match press briefing.
Starc, 33, although included in the squad, will not be taking the field in the first match. Reports suggest that the pacer is grappling with 'groin soreness' after playing in the World Test Championship Final and the Ashes series.
Speaking to the journalists ahead of the series opener, Cummins said: “Starc is here. He wants to play tomorrow but he will hopefully be available later on in the series. Same for Maxwell.”
Interestingly, Cummins himself had been on tour with the Australian team to South Africa but didn't participate in any of the white-ball matches. In his absence, Mitchell Marsh took on the captaincy reins for both the T20I and ODI teams.
Cummins is keenly anticipated to make a comeback to the ODI series after a considerable hiatus. However, the specifics surrounding Starc's condition remain ambiguous.
Starc's prowess on the field is undeniable. He has been instrumental for Australia in the past two World Cups, emerging as the top wicket-taker in both editions. His last ODI appearance was in March 2023 during Australia's tour of India, where he played all three ODIs and secured three wickets.
Cummins, on the other hand, had sustained an injury during the fifth Ashes Test, injuring his left wrist while fielding. It's been nearly 10 months since he last represented Australia in an ODI, making his return all the more significant.
Both Starc and Cummins are pivotal to Australia's bowling strategy. With the World Cup on the horizon, the management is under pressure to ensure they get sufficient game-time. The deadline to finalise the World Cup squads is September.
In light of these developments, players like Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Sean Abbot, and Josh Hazlewood are expected to step up as replacements in the first ODI against India.
Injury woes continue to plague the Australian squad. Travis Head, for instance, is poised to miss the initial phase of the ODI World Cup due to a fractured left hand, sustained during the fourth ODI against South Africa.
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