On paper, it might look like Australia have cruised their way on to victory in the recently concluded second Test match against South Africa in Melbourne. However, in reality, Australia beating South Africa by an innings and 82 runs hasn’t come without brave and excruciating efforts from two of their players.
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Nursing serious finger injuries, all-rounder Cameron Green and fast bowler Mitchell Starc made substantial contributions on Day 3 and 4 respectively. While Green scored 51* (177) despite an injured finger paving way for a maiden century by wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey yesterday, Starc dismissed South Africa opening batter Sarel Erwee in the 18 relentless overs he bowled today.
Although both of them are set to miss the third Test match in Sydney, Green is expected to regain optimum fitness before Starc because bones tend to heal quicker than tendons as per Starc. As a result, Australian fans can expect Green to take part in the first Test match against India in February unlike Starc (difficult to comment with respect to a possible recovery time right now).
Mitchell Starc recites painful narrative of bowling in 2nd Test vs South Africa at the MCG
Starc, 32, credited lot of “painkillers” in aiding him to bowl at the MCG on Thursday. Under a huge amount of pain, Starc put on display first-rate tenacity to be available to bowl especially in the absence of Green.
“I need the middle finger for control more than anything and painkillers are a wonderful thing. I’ve had a lot of painkillers. I could have jabbed it but I feel like I need the feeling of the ball on finger, otherwise I feel like I would have been spraying it everywhere,” Starc told cricket.com.au after the conclusion of the match.
Had Starc not bowled the amount of overs he did in the second innings, Australia captain Pat Cummins might have to use part-time spinners in Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Both wicket-takers in this format, bowling an excessive amount of overs from Smith and Labuschagne would have surely reduced the pressure off the Proteas.
Set to play another Test match in less than a week, Australia might end up including a debutant in place of Green at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
