The Australian cricket team will be devoid of services from fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the third and final ODI at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
As explained by coach Justin Langer, Starc will board the flight to Australia to attend the Women’s T20 World Cup final, to support his wife, Alyssa Healy, in Melbourne.
The match is scheduled this Sunday, March 8, which will witness four-time champions Australia taking on contenders India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup Final and so we were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion,” coach Langer commented according to cricket.com.au.
Later, Langer mentioned keeping their star bowler fit and fresh for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Starc was back amongst the wickets during Australia’s limited-overs tour of South Africa, with seven scalps in aggregate.
The left-arm quick got the better off South African skipper Quinton de Kock on numerous occasions, as the latter lost his middle stumps thrice during the three-match ODI and T20I series.
“Mitch has had a considerable workload in all three formats this summer. His heading home a couple of days ahead of the rest of the squad means he will have a chance to refresh ahead of our home and away one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand that will wrap up our season,” added the Australian head coach.
Australia possesses deep reserves of pace bowling in their squad to replace Starc, with the likes of Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson and Josh Hazlewood raring to have a go at the Proteas.
“We have plenty of fast bowling options with us here in South Africa. With Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson all sitting out our previous match in Bloemfontein. Mitch’s absence will offer one of them an opportunity to impress in Saturday’s match.” concluded Langer.
