Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc after the fourth Test against India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) )’s health status. Pat Cummins confirms Mitchell Starc remains fully fit and available for option in ongoing fifth and final Test series.

Starc felt some discomfort in his back while bowling in the 21st over of India’s first innings of the Boxing Day Test. However, the left-arm pacer resumed bowling with just over 130 seconds to spare after a delay due to heavy rain. He had a tough first innings, taking wicketless figures of 0-86 in 25 overs.

Mitchell Starc’s pace isn’t dropping – Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins provides an update on Mitchell Starc’s fitness ahead of the fifth Test match. Cummins said Stark is managing some soreness, especially around his ribs, but is still available. He admitted that fast bowlers often feel extra pain when they start a match with soreness.

“I think every fast bowler knows that when you’re a little bit sore, the first ball always hurts more,” Cummins said.

“I’m pretty confident he’s going to be fine. We’ll re-evaluate in a few days. But, yeah, I think he’s dealing with some sore spots, mainly a jagged spot on his ribs or something.”

“But he is a fighter. He got through it. His pace did not slow down. He never even considered not bowling. So apart from the pain, he is fully fit and available,” he added.

Ahead of India’s second innings, Starc said he would bowl as many overs as required. He dismissed Indian star Virat Kohli during the lunch break. Starc ended the day with figures of 1-25 in 16 overs.

Australia’s alternatives if Mitchell Starc misses upcoming New Year’s Test

Australia has other options if Mitchell Starc unavailable Jay Richardson Or Sean Abbott. Beau Webster may also be considered if changes are made Mitchell Marsh.

Abbott has been called up for the Boxing Day Test alongside Richardson, who returns from a long-term injury. Richardson played 3 Tests and took 11 wickets.

While Abbott is yet to make his debut in Test cricket, he has solid limited-overs statistics, taking 29 wickets in 26 ODIs and 26 wickets in 20 T20Is , besides taking 61 first-class wickets in 87 games. at the same time, Josh Hazlewood He was ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a calf injury.

The final Test between India and Australia will begin on January 3

Australia defeated India by 184 runs in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, December 30. Chasing a 340-run victory on day five, the Rohit Sharma-led team was bowled out for 155 runs. In the second game, the Australian team led 2-1.

India had previously won the series opener in Perth by 295 runs but lost the second Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets. The rain-affected Brisbane Test ended in a draw. Australia currently lead 2-1 and are aiming to win the final Test in Sydney on January 3 and claim the BGT title for the first time in a decade.

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