SYDNEY: Paceman Mitchell Starc has calf muscle soreness and has withdrawn from Australia’s one-day squad ahead of this weekend’s second match against Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia said yesterday.
South Australian quick Kane Richardson has been called up as cover for today’s ODI against Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval, after Starc picked up the injury during Australia’s 107-run series opening win in Melbourne on Friday.
The left-armer took 1-25 off six overs, but his status for the remainder of the five-match ODI series remains uncertain.
The Australians are already without several fast bowlers due to injury, including Ben Hilfenhaus and Pat Cummins, although James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood have returned from being sidelined.
“Mitchell Starc had some mild right calf soreness after the match at the MCG,” Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement on Saturday.
“Whilst we are not majorly concerned about it, we have withdrawn him from the game on Sunday as a precaution.
“He will be reassessed over the next few days and he is a possibility to play in next weekend’s matches against Sri Lanka if his symptoms resolve.”
Meanwhile, senior paceman Brett Lee yesterday questioned Australia’s contentious rotation selection policy after injury to Starc. With Starc out, Lee criticised the rotation policy, branding it confusing.
“I believe, and I’m a bit old school, that you’ve got to earn your right to play for Australia,” he told reporters yesterday.
“You don’t want to breed a culture where you’re looking over your shoulder every time -- who’s out this week? Who’s getting rested? Who’s coming in because there are four or five guys waiting to take my spot?.
“On the one hand I think it’s great that everybody’s getting an opportunity.
“But also, if I’m a paying member of the public, I want to see Australia’s number one side. What is that side? I don’t know, no one knows.” AGENCIES
