'Will Meet The Guys In Delhi', Mitchell Starc Confirms His Exclusion In First Test Between India-Australia

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has been out of cricketing action since December 2022 due to a lethal finger injury.

Cricket Image for 'Will Meet The Guys In Delhi', Mitchell Starc Confirms His Exclusion In First Test (Image Source: AFP)

Australia's ace pacer Mitchell Starc has provided a big update regarding his injury. The 33-year-old has confirmed that he will miss the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. The Test is scheduled to start on February 9th in Nagpur. 

Australian team would find it a bit tough to deal with this blow since they'll be taking on India on their home soil. Mitchell Starc sustained a dangerous finger injury in the Test series against South Africa in December 2022 and has been playing cricket since. 

“I am track..still a couple of weeks and then probably meet the guys in Delhi..after..hopefully, a first Test match win..get myself into training over there,” said Mitchell Starc in a video released from Cricket Australia's awards after the tall pacer was asked about his fitness by the host. 

Even though Mitchell Starc cleared that he's yet to recover from the finger injury, the 33-year-old bowler is still hopeful of joining his teammates in Delhi for the 2nd Test, which is set to begin on February 17th. Starc further unveiled his thoughts regarding Australia's upcoming tour to India. Starc admitted that playing India in India will be a big challenge. 

Starc signed off by saying, 'I guess you never really know what to expect from the conditions in India but we have a fair idea, that it is obviously going to turn. You never quite know until you start the game or decide which wicket to play on. So, it is going to be a great challenge,'

"Probably meet the guys in Delhi ... and get myself into training over there."

A Mitch Starc injury update... pic.twitter.com/9SyZYK0Xe6

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 30, 2023

This Test series will be the last for both countries in this World Test Championship cycle. Australians are at the top of the points table and their qualification for WTC Finals is all but confirmed. India on the other hand, would need to win the series by 2-0, 3-0, 3-1 or 4-0 to make their place in the second consecutive WTC Finals.