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Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has allayed concerns about his possible back injury, saying he is fit and ready to bowl 20 overs on Monday if the situation demands on the final day of the fourth Test against India here. Starc was seen clutching his back on the third day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. "And we've got 98 overs tomorrow of cricket and we'll see how that plays out. We'll push on. So no, I'm all good for second innings. It's not something that is bothering me," Starc told ABC network after the fourth day's play on Sunday. "My pace is still up... I still bowled a spell after it and I'm still in the low 140s (kmph), so I'm not concerned. If I need to bowl 20 (overs) tomorrow, I'll bowl 20," The match is evenly poised with Australia finishing the fourth day at 228 for nine, a lead of 333 runs with a full day's play remaining. Asked if Australia should have declared and given itself more time and overs to enforce a win, Starc sa
Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc has paid a glorious tribute to the just-retired India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, saying he has been "a bit of a thorn" for their side in some of the memorable contests Down Under. Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, on Wednesday surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement in the middle of the Test series against Australia. He retired from the game as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps from 106 matches, placing him only behind the legendary Anil Kumble (619 wickets). Ashwin played 23 Tests against Australia from 2011 to 2024, taking 115 scalps, including a 10-wicket and seven five-wicket hauls. He also played a big in India's stunning series win in 2020-21. "He (Ashwin) has always been a bit of a thorn in our side over in India and played a part in series here in Australia. It's been a fantastic career and I'm sure it will be celebrated that way," Starc told SEN Radio after the third Test her
Australia's leading pacers, including Test captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, have signed up as supplementary players for the Big Bash League starting December 15. Cummins, Starc and Josh Hazlewood have opened up a possibility of appearing in the marquee domestic T20 event after skipping it the last season owing to Test commitments. "Hazlewood and Starc have signed for Sydney Sixers under the league's marquee supplementary player rule, while Cummins will be in Sydney Thunder's auxiliary list," 'cricket.com.au' reported. The supplementary list allows Big Bash clubs to rope in a centrally-contracted Australian player in case they are available. "Mitch and Josh are both foundation members of our club and have been a part of the Sixers for a long time, so any opportunity for us to engage them throughout the season is a win for our club and a win for our fans," said Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes. "Both of the guys have great relationships with (coach) Greg (Shipperd) and t
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc acknowledged on Friday that things couldn't have gone better for the hosts on the opening day of the Pink-ball Test, saying it was a great way to start the day and an even better way to conclude it. Starc was the standout performer on a lively Adelaide pitch, returning excellent figures of 6/48 to dismiss India for a mere 180 runs. The Australian top order then scored 86/1 in the final session, leaving the visitors in a spot of bother. "Yeah, a very good first day for us with the ball, I think. After that first hour, I think we were pretty bang on. So, yeah, nice way to start the Test, but a nice day one for us. It's a good way to finish the day, or good day all up," said Starc during the press-conference. Starc, 34, struck the first blow by dismissing young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal off the first ball of the match, gaining a psychological edge over the visitors right from the start. He said it was satisfying to dismiss Jaiswal for a first-ball d