Australia will welcome back fast bowler Mitchell Starc on Monday in time for the first Test against India in Adelaide.
Key points:
- Mitchell Starc left the Australia squad during the T20 series against India
- Starc has taken 42 wickets in his seven day-night Test matches for Australia
- Australia will be without injured openers David Warner and Will Pucovski for the first Test in Adelaide
The left-armer was granted compassionate leave after the first T20 against the Indians due a family illness.
Starc has since advised the team management he is ready to return to the squad and he will fly from Sydney on Monday to join up with the rest of the Test team.
Fellow quick Josh Hazlewood said Starc’s return was very welcome.
“It’s obviously great news for us,” he said.
“He’s a huge part of our team and a huge part of our attack.
Starc has had great success with the pink ball since it was introduced for day-night Test and first-class matches.
He has played in seven day-night Test matches, taking 42 wickets.
Starc’s inclusion is a big plus for the Australians who have endured a disrupted preparation for the opening Test of the summer.
Openers David Warner and Will Pucovski have both been ruled out, while all-rounder Cameron Green is also under an injury cloud.
Green has been cleared to fly with the rest of the squad to Adelaide after copping a ball to the head during the team’s injury-ravaged Australia A match against India at the SCG.
The first of four Test matches against India starts in Adelaide on Thursday.
AAP/ABC
