Mitch Starc has opted not to line up for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL final

The mystery over whether Mitch Starc will play in the Big Bash final is over.

Mitchell Starc won’t play in the Big Bash final. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Mitchell Starc could next take the field in a rescheduled Sheffield Shield match after opting not to play in the Big Bash final for the Sydney Sixers.

After days of discussions, following scans Starc had at the end of the Test series loss to India, the left-arm quick and Sixers officials decided against him joining the squad for what would have been his lone BBL game of the season at the SCG this Saturday.

The match could now be played in front of as many as 28,500 fans after NSW Health approved s lift to 75 per cent capacity as part of the SCG’s updated COVID safety plan.

Starc ended the four Tests against India with knee and hamstring issues, which needed two rounds of scans.

He had indicated to teammates that he wanted to play but missed last week’s opening final win, which only left one game for him to make a Big Bash entry.

But Starc, who will be on the Test tour to South Africa later this month, should it go ahead, opted not to unsettle the successful Sixers line-up, which will be aiming for back-to-back BBL titles on Saturday.

While scans have cleared him of injury, Starc said he didn’t want to interfere with the club’s success so far this season.

“The guys have done so well this year and I think it’s in everyone’s best interests to stick with the guys that have worked so hard to get to this point,” Starc said.

“I’ve always felt part of the club and I am right behind them for another big win on Saturday night.”

It’s believed Cricket Australia are trying to reschedule some of the upcoming Sheffield Shield matches to try to get as many Test players as possible a game before they head to South Africa.

NSW, which could feature up to six of the current Test XI, could play Victoria before the expected departure on February 24.

🏏 The Sixers and Mitchell Starc today mutually agreed that the Test fast bowler would not join the squad for this Saturday’s @BBL Final at the @scg.

Details > https://t.co/fNNjGmKs0s#smashemsixers #BBL10

— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) February 1, 2021

Starc, who hasn’t played in the BBL since 2014, signed on to join the Sixers after his Test commitments.

The men in magenta won last year’s title with Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon joining the team late.

But both Starc and Sixers coaching staff and management agreed that changes to the squad at this point of the season were not necessary.

“Mitch is, and always will be, a big part of the Sixers family,” Sixers GM Jodie Hawkins said.

“Circumstances meant he and Nathan Lyon were not able to join us this season, but they are both very much part of our set-up and will represent the club off the field on Saturday night.

“Our current squad have done an incredible job all season to qualify for the final while playing every game on the road, and Mitch and the club are really comfortable with this decision.”

 The Sixers, who finished on top of the BBL table without Starc playing a single game, will play the winner of Thursday’s clash between the Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers in Saturday’s final.

Originally published as Mitch Starc has opted not to line up for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL final