The Australian team have already sealed the Ashes series
with two Tests yet to be played. England, who are on a 3-0 deficit, can hope to
put up a good fight against the Baggy Greens as the Aussie pacer—Mithell
Starc—remains a doubt for the 4th Test.
With what is being described as the ‘ball of the Ashes and the summer’, Starc had
uprooted James Vince’s off-stump in the 2nd innings of the 3rd Test in Perth. Later they won the match by an innings and 41
runs. The fast bowler is the highest wicket-taker of this series as he has bagged 19
wickets in 3 matches.
Starc was assessed in Sydney on Wednesday, but the scans have reportedly cleared him of serious injury despite his having a bruised heel. He will be reassessed before the Boxing Day Test.
“Starc had a scan in Sydney which confirmed bruising on his
heel. He will still travel to Melbourne with the squad as planned and will be
reassessed ahead of the test,” the team said in a media release.
Earlier after the series-clinching victory at WACA,
Australian skipper Steven Smith reportedly said, “We’d love to win 5-0 and have
the big three (Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood) going all the time,”
“But we’ve also got an important tour to South Africa after
this series, which we’d love to have him (Starc) available for.”
Jackson Bird is supposed to play in the
Melbourne Test if Starc does not recover from his injury. Bird has played 8 Tests for the Kangaroos and took 34 wickets.
In the meantime, the BBC said England’s seamer Craig Overton
is also an injury doubt for the Melbourne Test as he was hit in the ribs by a
bouncer from Pat Cummins.
“We’re going to assess it over the next couple of days,” the
pacer said.
“Melbourne might be a push, but it’s still an option to play at the minute.”
England will be looking forward to avoid further defeats as they are on course to a probable whitewash.
Picture Courtesy : Getty Images
