Australia‘s fast bowling sensation Mitchell Starc faces uncertainty about his participation in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Starc, who struggled with back and side pain during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, has sparked concerns about his fitness. Ahead of the last Test, Starc’s teammate and Australia wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey comes up with a key update regarding left arm pacer’s availability
Alex Carey confident in Mitchell Starc’s toughness
Speaking about Starc’s condition, Carey praised the left-arm pacer’s fortitude, and expressed confidence in Starc’s resilience, describing him as one of the toughest cricketers he’s played with. Despite occasional discomfort and visible signs of pain, Carey believes Starc will persevere and be ready for the challenge.
“He’ll be fine. He will push through. I’ve played with Starcy (Mitchell Starc) for a long time now and he is one of the toughest cricketers that I’ve played with. He’ll grimace and grab his rib without a doubt at times but he’ll be ready for the contest,” Carey said to the reporters.
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Starc’s stellar performance in the ongoing series
With four matches completed in the gripping five-match Test series, Australia holds a 2-1 lead over their opponents, with one match ending in a rain-affected draw. The stage is now set for a high-stakes finale at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia’s success has been built on the foundation of their formidable bowling attack, with Starc playing a pivotal role. Despite a challenging outing in Melbourne, Starc has been a standout performer throughout the series.
In four matches, Starc has claimed 15 wickets, ranking as the fourth-highest wicket-taker overall and the second-best among Australian bowlers, trailing only captain Pat Cummins. His impressive average of 28.73 and a tidy economy rate of 3.28 underscore his consistency and impact. A shining moment of the series came in the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide, where Starc delivered a career-best performance with figures of 6/48. This spell not only turned the game in Australia’s favor but also showcased his skill and dominance in Test cricket.
