Mitchell Starc ruled out of Boxing Day Test

The premier fast bowler of Australia, Mitchell Starc, has been ruled out of Boxing Day Test to be held at the iconic MCG in Melbourne on Monday. He will be replaced by Jackson Bird who has been warming the bench for a long time now. Starc has played a crucial role for his side throughout the series and is the highest wicket-taker with 19 scalps. However, Australia is aiming whitewash and would not want to give an inch to the poms despite the injury to their bowling spearhead.

Starc’s replacement and the constant 12th man of Australia Jackson Bird has finally got his opportunity after spending 12 months on the bench. He has delivered the goods whenever he has put on the baggy green and has 34 wickets to his name in 8 Test matches at an average of 27. The Tasmanian comes into the side with the red-hot form in the Sheffield Shield season with 25 wickets at 16.56. He would be itching to get on to the field on Boxing Day and rock the already bruised England line-up.

Disappointed Starc misses festive Test yet again

Josh Hazlewood confirmed the news of Mitchell Starc being ruled out due to bruised heel while speaking to the reporters ahead of the Test match. He also cleared that he is ready to take on the added pressure of leading the attack in the absence of the left-arm pacer. “He’s (Starc) very disappointed. You do feel that extra responsibility I guess but I’ve played quite a few Tests without Mitch now. It feels a bit normal. Birdy’s played a lot of cricket, Patty (Cummins) has played a fair bit now as well,” he said.

Starc, the 27-year-old, had refused to drink alcohol after regaining the Ashes in Perth in a bid to play in the fourth Test which will attract around a whopping 90,000 spectators on the Boxing Day. Meanwhile, Tim Paine is set to train with the team and feature in the iconic Test match after delaying his arrival to Melbourne citing personal reasons.