No. No, this is not happening. Mitchell Starc has just been ruled out of the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia have had to massively exceed expectations just to be level after two Tests. Given that you can’t really plan to draw Tests, and that’s not really the Australian way anyway, they must find another win from somewhere.
They won in Pune and came close in Bengaluru without Starc in his Sri Lanka mode, but now that they’ve lost him, and the other Mitchell (Marsh), how will they win another Test on this tour?
Jackson Bird is the likely replacement, even though James Pattinson would be a tempting selection. Bird is a good bowler, but what that means is that Australia must go with two stock bowlers rather than a stock bowler and a shock bowler.
They have lost their dream specialist bowling team for India. They have even lost their preferred fifth bowler. They have lost all their Mitchells for the first time since the Durham Test in 2013, considering Darren Lehmann is not Justin Langer, and not even Justin Langer could bring back the retired Mitchell to international cricket.
They haven’t won without a Mitchell since Bridgetown in 2012.
But, in good news, Starc is expected to make it back for the Champions Trophy. That’s a tournament which no Australian cares about right now, and few outside the elite of cricket will care about at the relevant time.
In the last Champions Trophy, David Warner punched Joe Root. Michael Clarke’s back refused to work. Australia lost. And, if you are Australian, you are probably more computer than human if you remember much else.
The tournament itself should not even exist when Olympic participation would fulfil the Champions Trophy’s original mandate so much more successfully. If you remember it after the upcoming Ashes summer, you will be doing well.
Australia were ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before the first Test. They were ruled back in in Pune. They were not ruled out after Bengaluru. They were not ruled out after Mitchell Marsh had to go home. This is the closest they have come to being ruled out of the series since before Pune.
Win from here, and might just be Australia’s most special series win in India. Ever.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
I mean, he did only take 5 wickets in the first 2 matches; Agreed that he is a crucial part of the Australian line up, that is undeniable, but I still think we can win without him! Will be exciting to see!
Adrian
Guest
No point watching now. I wonder if Foxtel will let me cancel my sports channel subscription based on Starc's untimely injury.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
The second test pitch had deliveries from Lyon breaking through the surface in the morning session of day one. A few overs from Starc would have been enough to add a little more variance to that surface. I understand speed for speed with Cummins for Starc, but I fear Lyon will be far less effective without some assistance outside the right-hander's off stump. Given that O'Keefe, bowls around the wicket regularly, he too will miss that assistance. On the up side, Jadeja may be less trouble for the likes of Smith, Handscomb and any other right-handers we can find.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Paul ,I remain hopeful and patriotic mate . If the Aussies can pull one out of the hat in the next test I feel the pressure on the CM,s would be too much in the fourth.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Can see where you are coming from, but he bowled only eleven overs in Pune, and Lyon's eight wicket haul in Bengaluru came on day one when the footmarks have the least impact. Australia shouldn't design a strategy around that.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Ah, a bright light in the darkness. How did I overlook that?
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Pune was supposed to be that too, but yes, I imagine they are delighted that Australia doesn't have Starc for the rest of the series.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
You've got your wish, they picked Cummins. I don't think Bird would be fodder, it is just that you'd essentially have two of the same bowler. I would have picked Pattinson as the replacement in the squad based on his previous Indian tour.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Another aspect of losing Starc is his footmarks which greatly increase our spinners threat to their right handers. I hope Cummins is happy bowling around the wicket..
Rob JM
Guest
Don't worry, we can play Mitchell Swepson to keep the Mitch quota up. All is not lost.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Kohli and Co will be kicking their curry stained lips at the prospect of a wounded Australian team on a flat pitch , I feel the next test may be like an overfed cat toying with a saliva soaked helpless mouse .
Nick
Guest
Losing Starc is very tough. There's no suitable replacement. Bird will be fodder for the Indians (as Woakes, Stokes etc were). You can't operate as a seamer in India in the low 130kms and hope for big success without height or pitch devilry. For this reason, and this reason alone, I'd be happy to see Cummins get a run. Big call I know Losing Mitch Marsh is no big deal. I'd prefer to get another proper batsman into the team instead of another all rounder. But based upon who Starc's replacement is (if Bird), sadly we'll need another all rounder to share bowling duties. This is the real loss of Starc. Marsh is replaceable. Without Starc we have to rejig the whole balance of the side.