Australia v India: Mitchell Starc returns to Test squad after family illness
Fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is confident Mitchell Starc will be right to rip in to India’s batting lineup in this week’s first Test in Adelaide.
The left-armer is set to rejoin Australia’s squad on Monday after a period of compassionate leave due to a family illness.
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Starc left the team after the first T20 against the Indians in Canberra last week but it was announced on Sunday the pace spearhead was ready to return.
No bowler in world cricket boasts a better Test record with the pink ball than Starc, who has snared 42 wickets at 19.23 in seven day-night matches for his country.
Hazlewood was in no doubt about the boost the news would bring to the entire team.
“Everyone knows his numbers with the pink ball are pretty special so we welcome him with open arms,” Hazlewood said.
“If we’ve learned anything from this year it’s nothing goes to plan and we’re always struggling with the schedules and travel and different things.
“I’m sure this hiccup will be no different for Starkey. He’s a professional and would have been doing everything he could have over the last week ... once he comes into camp he’ll jump straight in and be ready to go.”
Starc’s return is a change of tone for Australia after a build-up to the Border-Gavaskar series which has been marred by injury withdrawals and concerns.
It means Australia will head in to the opening Test with a full-strength attack including Starc, Hazlewood, vice-captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon.
That settled line-up is in contrast to the batting line-up, in particular the top order. Opener David Warner (groin) and young gun Will Pucovksi (concussion) are both out, while allrounder Cameron Green remains under an injury cloud after suffering concussion during Australia A’s tour match against the Indians in Sydney last week.
Australia added opener Marcus Harris to their squad on Saturday following Warner and Pucovski’s withdrawals.
Despite the disrupted preparation, Hazlewood said for those players already with the squad in Adelaide, the build-up to the first Test starting on Thursday had been relatively smooth.
“We’ve had a few days out in the middle of Adelaide Oval and still have a number of sessions to go before the game,” Hazlewood said. “We’ll be all ready to go and it’s been a great prep so far.”