Mitchell Starc not playing: The Australian speedster has withdrawn from the ongoing three-match T20I series against India.
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Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the ongoing three-match T20I series against India. Having traveled from Canberra to Sydney, Starc informed the Australian team management about leaving the biosecurity bubble due to a family illness.
Starc, who registered bowling figures of 4-0-34-2 which included wickets of India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and all-rounder Washington Sundar in the first T20I at the Manuka Oval, won’t be available for the remaining two T20Is.
It is worth mentioning that there has been no update on whether Starc will be available for the first Test between Australia and India which will commence in Adelaide from December 17.
Why is Mitchell Starc not playing today’s 2nd T20I between Australia and India?
Speaking on their spearhead’s exclusion, head coach Justin Langer extended support to the 30-year old player by laying emphasis on the importance of family.
“There is nothing in the world more important than family and in this case Mitch [Mitchell Starc] is no exception. We will give Mitch all the time he needs and welcome him back into the squad with open arms whenever he feels the time is right for him and his family,” Langer said in a statement.
As far as Starc’s replacement for the last two T20Is in Sydney is concerned, Australia haven’t named any because of the presence of Daniel Sams and Andrew Tye in the squad.
Apart from Starc, Australia have also lost the services of opening batsman David Warner and all-rounder Ashton Agar due to respective injuries. The likes of captain Aaron Finch and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis are also injured but still remain a part of the squad.
In addition to opening batsman D’Arcy Short and spinner Mitchell Swepson, both of whom played the first T20I, Australia have also included Test spinner Nathan Lyon to their T20I squad.
