Did Mitchell Starc rule out the Sydney Test? Pat Cummins releases a major update

Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed the fitness of left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc after the fourth Test against India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Pat Cummins confirmed that Mitchell Starc remains fully fit and available for selection for the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Test. series.

Starc felt some discomfort in his back while bowling 21 in India’s first innings in the Christmas Day Test. However, the left-arm pacer resumed bowling at speeds of 130 seconds after a rain delay. He had a rough start in the first innings, going wicketless with figures of 0-86 from 25 overs.

Mitchell Starc’s pace didn’t drop – Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins provided an update on Mitchell Starc’s fitness ahead of the fifth Test match. Cummins said Starc is dealing with some soreness, particularly around his ribs, but remains available for selection. He acknowledged that fast players often feel extra pain when they start a spell while taking damage.

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

“I’m pretty sure he’ll be fine. We’ll reassess in a couple of days. But yeah, he’s dealing with a couple of sore bits, I think, mainly a bit of a saw… in his ribs or something.”

“But he’s a warrior. He comes through. His pace didn’t drop. He didn’t even consider not being an option to bowl. So other than being in pain, he’s fully fit and available,” he added.

Before India’s second innings, Starc declared that he would bowl as many overs as needed. He dismissed Indian star Virat Kohli during the lunch break. Starc finished the day with impressive figures of 1-25 from 16 overs.

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

If Mitchell Starc is not available, Australia have alternatives Jhye Richardson or Sean Abbott. Beau Webster could also be considered if there is a trade Mitchell Marsh.

Abbott was called into the squad for the Boxing Day Test alongside Richardson, who returned after a long injury lay-off. Richardson has played three Tests and taken 11 wickets.

Although Abbott is yet to make his debut in Test cricket, he has solid limited-overs statistics with 29 wickets in 26 ODIs and 26 wickets in 20 T20Is, in addition to 61 first-class wickets in 87 matches. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood he was ruled out for the rest of the series due to a calf injury.

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

Australia cruised to a 184-run victory over India in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, December 30. Chasing 340 for victory on Day 5, the Rohit Sharma-led side were dismissed for 155 in their match. second innings, giving Australia a 2–1 lead in the series.

India had earlier 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. With a 2-1 lead, Australia now aim to win the final Test in Sydney, starting on January 3, to secure the BGT for the first time in a decade.

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