Mitchell Starc wasn’t risking further injury to his fractured foot by hobbling for Australia’s winning runs against New Zealand.
With Australia needing two runs to win, Starc surprisingly came out to bat – despite not being able to really run because of stress fractures in his right foot.
After facing one ball, Starc was at the non-striker’s end when Peter Siddle hit a Tim Southee delivery through point – he half-hobbled, half-hopped for the two required runs.
Australian captain Steve Smith says he didn’t risk worsening his injury.
“The damage is done,” Smith said.
“He’s a great team man and I was thankful for him to be able to go out there and have a crack.
“He put his hand up, which is what he always does for the team … unfortunately (he) hit one to the fielder, but he hobbled through for two off Peter Siddle’s bat and it was nice to get those two runs to get us over the line.”
Starc was forced from the field on Friday’s opening day of the Adelaide Test and didn’t bowl again in the Test.
But he also batted in Australia’s first innings, making 24 from 15 balls which included three fours and two sixes.
The left-arm paceman is not expected to bowl again for at least three weeks.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I don't see the problem with the decision. 1. His only means of scoring was to slog 2. He couldn't slog at 11, because one wicket would cost the game Therefore it would've been far too risky if he had to come in at 11. If he comes in at 9 and gets out trying to slog, that's ok, we still have two wickets in hand. As it happened, with the field set the way it was, two fit batsmen could probably have run four off Siddle's shot, so he didn't need to sprint. No harm done.
fp11
Guest
Why doesn't Starc just have that foot operation now (to fix bone spurs or whatever was ailing him)? Instead they said he will rest/recover for ten weeks then play again, then operation, if I understood M. Slater correctly. This doesn't make sense! He's of the field for ten weeks. Just fix everything now. Anyone?
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
This decision by Smith made no sense.