After hurting his finger during the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's seasoned bowler Mitchell Starc might not be available for the third Test against South Africa in Sydney.
During the second session of the first day of the match, Starc attempted to grab a catch at long-on with his bowling hand's left hand and dislocated the tip of his middle finger. He was sent for scans.
After suffering an injury, the left-arm pacer, 32, who had taken 2-39 off 13 overs, departed the field and apparently underwent a scan. When South Africa's first innings came to a conclusion, he did return to the field, but he was not forced to bowl because the visitors were dismissed for just 189.
Cricket Australia announced on the second morning of the game on Tuesday that Starc, who batted in the practise nets prior to the start of play, has been given the all-clear to continue playing and would bat if necessary. The scan's results were not disclosed, but it was stated that a final decision regarding his participation in the Sydney Test will be made following the Boxing Day Test.
If Starc to miss his home Test, which will begin on January 4, Australia has two bowlers in their team who can fill in for him: Josh Hazlewood and Lance Morris.
Hazlewood, who had recovered from an injury in time for the Melbourne Test, was an option for Australia, but Scott Boland was chosen ahead of him. Starc's backup, Morris, was called up earlier this year for the Adelaide Test against the West Indies.
According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Australia could also bring in an extra spinner for the Sydney Test as the pitch for the only Sheffield Shield match played there this summer was a spinner's paradise with New South Wales offspinner Chris Green taking nine wickets and West Australia offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli claiming eight in a low-scoring game.