Australia’s pace bowling stocks shredded as Mitchell Starc joins Josh Hazlewood on sidelines
Australia will amp up its World Cup preparations without nearly half of its preferred XI after Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the one-day tour of India with a ‘substantial’ pectoral injury.
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Australia will amp up its World Cup preparations without nearly half of its preferred XI after Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the one-day tour of India with a “substantial” pectoral injury.
The big quick, who was the leading wicket taker in Australia’s 2015 World Cup triumph, suffered the injury during his 10-wicket haul against Sri Lanka last week, and joins fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines.
Australia coach Justin Langer confirmed Starc wouldn’t need surgery and hoped he would be available for the one-day series against Pakistan in March and April.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL 16-MAN SQUAD
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“It (the injury) was the most bizarre thing as he didn’t even feel it when he was playing,” Langer said.
“He just woke up the next day when he was in bed and his left pec had all blown up ... but hopefully he will be right for that second leg against Pakistan.”
Batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, walk-up starts in the best Aussie line-up, still have two months of their year-long suspensions to serve and their recovery from elbow injuries will determine when they re-join the team.
And Shaun Marsh, one of only two Australians to make a one-day hundred in the past 12 months, is recovering from a hamstring injury and will miss the start of the Indian tour.
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Langer said every match his team plays between now and the opening World Cup encounter against Afghanistan on June 1st was a chance to “mould” his preferred side.
But the absences of key personnel has opened the door for others to push their claims including West Australian Ashton Turner, who was included in a 16-man squad.
D’Arcy Short, the leading run-scorer in the Big Bash, was also picked but only as a fill-in before Marsh rejoins the squad.
“We have a couple of inclusions in Dave Warner and Steve Smith who are going to bang very hard on the door so there’s going to be some competition there,” Langer said.
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“That’s good, it means blokes stay on their toes the whole time.
“My view always has been if you pick the best team for each game the future usually looks after itself. If we can continue to do that, and get results, we’ll get the benefit of confidence and momentum and forming a strong team.
“We know there’s a lot of good players and there’s only 15 spots for the World Cup and it’s something Australian cricket is very proud of so we’ll be looking at all our options. Whether you are on this tour or not, there will still be spots up for grabs.”
Selectors made what appears a World Cup statement, dropping all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who was the Test and one-day vice-captain at the start of the summer, and veteran quick Peter Siddle who was recalled after a seven-year absence last month.
Towering fast bowler Billy Stanklake was also left out, with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson called up to join Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson as the frontline pace attack.
Usman Khawja retained his place in the team, despite speculation he could be left at home to finish the Sheffield Shield season, where the English Duke’s will be in play, to finetune his Ashes experience.
It’s likely Khawaja or Peter Handscomb, depending on performances, would make way in Australia’s final 15-man World Cup squad when Smith returns.
Selectors have to submit their final squad by April 23, but are free to make changes without needing special approval until May 23.
The international career of former Test keeper Matthew Wade looks dead after he was overlooked yet again despite being the leading run-scorer in all domestic cricket this summer.
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD:
Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh**, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.
**D’Arcy Short selected to cover S.Marsh for the start of the tour.
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