India v Australia: Selectors narrow focus ahead of Cricket World Cup

Mitchell Starc’s injury is a setback for the Australian side says coach Justin Langer.

Pat Cummins has been appointed vice-captain for the limited-overs tour of India. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Coach Justin Langer expressed frustration that quick Mitchell Starc has broken down after taking a 10-wicket haul in Canberra to be unavailable for the India ODI series.

His bowling partner Pat Cummins has been elevated to a co-vice captaincy role alongside Alex Carey due to the absence of Josh Hazlewood, who is also injured. Kane Richardson comes into the squad as an extra quick.

The Australian broke the news yesterday that Starc was out of the tour of India, but Langer is hopeful he will be fit for the tour to the UAE where the side will play Pakistan in late March. Dates for that series have not been released as Australia is refusing to play in Pakistan despite repeated invitations.

GRAPHIC: India tour

Langer admitted that the injury was a blow to a side attempting to prepare for the World Cup.

“It’s almost two steps forward and one step back,” Langer said yesterday.

“It was the most bizarre thing as he didn’t even feel it when he was playing.

“He just woke up the next day when he was in bed and his left pec had all blown up.

“It’s really disappointing for him as he bowled so well in that last Test match.

“(It’s) disappointing for us as we would have loved to have had him there, but hopefully he will be right for that second leg against Pakistan.”

Selector Trevor Hohns confirmed Starc’s injury in a statement yesterday.

“Unfortunately, scans have revealed that Mitchell Starc sustained a substantial tear to his left pec muscle while bowling on the final day of the Test match in Canberra,” he said.

“This means he will be unavailable for the tour of India, but we will instead target a return to play for the ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE in March.

“This paves the way for Kane Richardson to come into the squad. Kane has been in outstanding form over the summer, including his recent performances in the BBL.

“Kane not only has experience playing ODI cricket for Australia, but he’s also performed well for his country when given the opportunity.”

Selectors decided to stick with Usman Khawaja despite some thought he would be better off returning to Sheffield Shield cricket for Queensland, particularly with an Ashes series to follow the World Cup.

His place in the squad confirms he is in plans for the World Cup, although two batsmen will probably be squeezed out when David Warner and Steve Smith return.

The Australians have to settle on a 15-man squad by April 23 for the World Cup which begins on May 30 in the UK.

Mitch Marsh’s place looks in doubt after he was axed from the squad for India.

It is another blow for the all-rounder and Test vice-captain who played only one Test match this summer and has not played an ODI since last January.

Shaun Marsh will miss the first two games as he recovers from a slight hamstring injury and attends the birth of his second child.

Hard-hitting Big Bash batsman D’Arcy Short will act as cover for Shaun Marsh and West Australian Ashton Turner is a chance to make his ODI debut as he also comes into the squad.

Peter Siddle has also been dropped but the suspicion is the Victorian may be sent back to the Sheffield Shield after a summer of carrying drinks in order to prepare him for the Ashes.

“Whether you are on this tour or not, there is still going to be spots up for grabs,” Langer said in Perth said yesterday.

“But the World Cup is going to come up sooner than you know and guys like Steve Smith and Dave Warner are obviously going to bang very hard on the door.

“So there is going to be some competition there, but that’s good as there is going to be some guys that need to stay on their toes the entire time and keep playing great cricket every time we play.”

Billy Stanlake is another who has been axed from the squad, but Nathan Coulter-Nile has been recalled.

“Nathan Coulter-Nile provides us with another quality bowling option, he brings good energy in the field and can also score runs in high-pressure situations,” Hohns said.

“Peter Siddle and Mitch Marsh are unfortunate to miss out, but our message throughout the summer remains true, with such a big schedule ahead opportunities may well present themselves.”

The selectors eyes are clearly focused on the World Cup as the India series is the second last before that event kicks off in England in June.

“We were really pleased with the progress we made during the recent ODI series against India, and we feel the progress is reflected in the squad selection, with only a couple of changes,” Hohns said.

“With Josh Hazlewood sidelined through injury, Pat Cummins has been named co vice-captain alongside Alex Carey for the series.

“Pat did a tremendous job during the Sri Lankan Test series, and we look forward to him continuing to live and drive the team’s values and standards.

“I’d also like to congratulate Ashton Turner on his selection in the squad. Ashton has been on our radar for some time, given his performances in the shorter formats.

“Ashton is a smart cricketer who reads the game well and provides us with another strong batting option.

“He’s been in good form over the summer, and he has an opportunity to put his case forward ahead of the World Cup.

“Shaun Marsh will join the squad following the birth of his second child. Shaun is also working his way back from a hamstring strain, but we expect him to be available for the third ODI.

“D’Arcy Short has been named in the squad as cover for Shaun. D’Arcy has been in outstanding form in the BBL over the summer, and he gives us another strong batting option for the opening fixtures of the tour, which include two T20s.”