Starc had cut the index finger of his bowling hand on a spike with a shoe during the follow-through in the first match of the T20 series against Sri Lanka last week. The 32-year-old has been able to bowl at full strength during training in recent days, but International Cricket Council rules prohibiting bowlers from using tape on their fingers mean Starc has been ruled out of games. .
Mitchell Starc had his stitches removed on Thursday, but how well his finger heals from this point on will determine whether he is fit for the third match of the ODI series against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
The left-arm pacer is hopeful of playing at least some part in the five-match ODI series, but only if he does not compromise on his chances of featuring in the two-match Test series in Galle, which begins on June 29 Used to be.
“I am still hoping that I will play,” Mitchell Starc said about his chances of playing in the ODI series.
“I had stitches (on Thursday). There is still a lot of glue in the wound.
“It will start to dissolve a little more over the next few days. Once we get to Colombo we will look at it again and see where it is.
“I’m still training. It’s just a matter of where the wound is, and obviously have a look at the Test series as well and there’s no compromise.”
Starc said it was disappointing to feel super fit while unable to play. Several Australian players have been ruled out of this series. Marcus Stoinis (side strain), Sean Abbott (finger) and Kane Richardson (hamstring) will play no further roles, while Ashton Agar (side strain), Starc and Mitch Marsh (hamstring) are also injured.
Agar is expected to be fit in time for the second Test. Star batsman Steve Smith looked a bit struggling after a 26-run loss in the second ODI on Thursday. Although he was able to play after receiving strapping in his upper left leg, he will also be evaluated in the coming days. The ODI series is locked at 1-1 with the last three matches to be played in Colombo.