Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc opened on his unfortunate run out during the second innings of the Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne. Stark was involved in a major mix-up with his captain Pat Cummins and was found near his crease.
Starc also had good news for Australia as he claimed to be fit enough to play on the fifth day of the Test match. Starc’s availability is a huge relief for Australia who had already lost Josh Hazlewood earlier for the rest of the series.
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Mitchell Starc talks about his run out with Pat Cummins
Speaking to ABC Sport, Mitchell Starc was asked about his unfortunate escape with Pat Cummins. The left-arm quick joked that he couldn’t run out Cummins because he was the captain.
“You can’t get rid of the Captain. Can you?” Starc cheered, with presenter and former Australia coach Darren Lehmann standing by his side.
“You can’t escape the captain, can you?”
Mitchell Starc has highlighted the running back situation with Pat Cummins, while saying he is “not worried” about an apparent injury.
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Jasprit Bumrah bowled a long ball onto the stumps and Mitchell Starc pushed it through the leg side and took a run. Starc looked for a second run and ran halfway down the mark only to be brought back by Cummins. The good leg-spinner ran and bowled the ball to wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.
The throw was not at the right end but Pant was aware of the situation and had already taken off his gloves. He quickly threw the ball into the non-striker’s end with a direct hit. Stark was found near his crease and knew it immediately.
Mitchell Starc injury update
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc also gave an update on his injury and claimed that he is fit to play in the next innings. Starc also stated that the injury is not bothering him and that he is still able to play at a good pace.
“I’m fine in the second half. (Regarding the injury) It’s not something that bothers me. My speed is still up. I still threw the ball after that and I’m still in the low 140s, so, it’s not like that.” Stark said on the show.
“If I need to bowl 20 tomorrow, I will bowl 20,” the left-armer quickly replied when asked about his multiple bowling spells on the fifth day.
Australia move forward at the MCG
Australia are still ahead in the match as they ended the fourth day on a high. The hosts were 228-9 as Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon were out there contesting a brilliant partnership of 55 unbeaten runs for the last wicket.
It was an excellent partnership that put Australia in a position for the bowlers to come out and attack on the final day. The home team currently leads by 333 runs which means India will have to crawl out of their skin to get closer to the target.
However, the Men in Blue are more likely to take aim and strike with intent even if the odds are against them. India have some aggressive batsmen in their line-up who can take the game away from Australia within a few overs.
