Australia’s hopes of bouncing back from the 75-run defeat in Bengaluru has received a huge setback as their pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the last two Tests due to a fractured foot. The injury blow is a second one for the visitors with Mitchell Marsh (on March 9) also being ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a shoulder injury.
Starc’s absence is undoubtedly a big loss for the visitors. The left-arm pacer was crucial for his team in the first two Tests. After playing an important knock of 61 in the first innings of the Pune Test that helped Australia take command of the match, the fast-bowler took prized scalps of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in successive deliveries to put the visitors in driver’s seat. He made a big impact in Bengaluru too by dismissing Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair in consecutive deliveries during the second innings. The 27-year-old has 118 in the series so far in addition to his five wickets.
And as expected, the news has created quite a buzz on the social media. Here are some of the best reactions:
No, no, no!!! This is horrible news for the Aussies. https://t.co/ejNeWB5yWs
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 10, 2017
You can live with a batsman's absence…but it's almost certain that you won't with a bowler's absence in a 4-men attack. Starc difference!
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 10, 2017
Don't thnk you would have said so at the start of the year but Australia will miss Starc's batting too. And the reassuring presence.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/SSMB_Follower/status/840097314245033985
"Mitchell Starc" We all know the real story that Mitchell Starc foot got stuck in Indian Potholes ?#INDvsAUS
— Snehasis Dalal (@SnehasisDalal) March 10, 2017
#INDvsAUS contest has lost it's major sheen…Mitchell Starc ruled out of rest of the series due to stress fracture foot injury
— Ujjawal Singh ?? (@ujjawalsingh) March 10, 2017
Mitchell Starc ruled out of the #INDvsAUS series and Steve Smith don't want to follow the rules. God Save Aussies now. ?
— Ye Koi ***** Hai Kya? (@intolerant_monk) March 10, 2017
#INDvsAUS Mitchell Starc is Ashish Nehru of Australia. More then playing he remains injured all the time. ???
— Pradeep Kumar V.K (@Pradeepkumarkvk) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/VirenderSehweg/status/840106030461673472
Mitchell Starc out of India tour with stress fracture.
इसको भारतीयों की हाय लगी है ??— RJ Yogi (@RjYogi) March 10, 2017
Mitchell Starc out of the series…nt jst a blow to Australia but to the entire series…takes away more thn half of the fizz..@indiatvnews
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) March 10, 2017
Mitchell Starc should retire from tests now.I know I have no right to say that but he seems to me very unfit for longer versions of games.
— Bhaskar Mitra (@bhaskarmitra83) March 10, 2017
Mitchell Starc spends more time in hospital than he spends on field. #Injury #INDvsAUS
— Abbas Haider (@abbas_haiderr) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/Ganesh_twits/status/840102207324221441
Dale Steyn injured
Mohammad Shami injured
Mitchell Starc injuredThe salaries of team physios better be diverted to promoting cricket.
— ASWIN S SANKARAN (@aswin_sankaran) March 10, 2017
Dale Steyn injured
Mohammad Shami injured
Mitchell Starc injuredThe salaries of team physios better be diverted to promoting cricket.
— ASWIN S SANKARAN (@aswin_sankaran) March 10, 2017