Mitchell Starc is a serious doubt for the second Ashes Test at Lord's, says Australia captain Michael Clarke

  • Mitchell Starc could be set to miss the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday
  • Starc has had to take painkilling injections for his troublesome right ankle
  • The seamer has been Australia's most potent attacking weapon in 2015
  • Experienced Peter Siddle now on standby to come into the bowling attack

By Chris Stocks For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 14:59 EST, 11 July 2015 | Updated: 07:33 EST, 13 July 2015

Australia captain Michael Clarke admits Mitchell Starc is a serious doubt for the second Ashes Test after he was forced to have painkilling injections to get through the series opener in Cardiff.

The left-arm seamer has been his country’s most potent attacking weapon across all forms of cricket in the past year and was Australia’s leading bowler at the Swalec Stadium with seven wickets, despite sustaining an injury to his right ankle.

That is the joint Starc had surgery on in 2013 to remove a bone spur and, although the tourists have yet to disclose the extent of his latest injury, the fact he needed painkilling jabs to bowl in Cardiff makes him a grave doubt for the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday.

Mitchell Starc was forced to have painkilling injections to get through the Ashes series opener in Cardiff

Mitchell Starc was forced to have painkilling injections to get through the Ashes series opener in Cardiff

The left-arm seamer has been Australia's most potent attacking weapon across all forms of cricket in 2015

The left-arm seamer has been Australia's most potent attacking weapon across all forms of cricket in 2015

It means that, with just four days before that match, Peter Siddle is now on standby to come into a bowling attack that was shorn of Ryan Harris on the eve of the series after a long-standing knee injury forced him to retire last weekend.

‘The concern is obviously how close the second Test match is away,’ said Clarke. 

‘The medical team and the selectors will assess Starcy over the next few days and they’ll make whatever they feel is the best decision for the team.’

Asked if Starc’s injury had forced him to use the 25-year-old differently, Clarke said: ‘Yeah definitely. He didn’t open the bowling in the second innings because of that. But he was still able to do what was required.

‘It might not have looked pretty but he bowled good pace so credit to him.’

Clarke was honest enough to concede his team were completely outplayed in every facet of the game during a chastening 169-run defeat in Cardiff. 

But he believes they can use the example of how they bounced back from losing to New Zealand in the recent World Cup as motivation to get themselves back in this series.

Starc’s injury has forced Australia captain Michael Clarke to use the 25-year-old differently in matches

Starc’s injury has forced Australia captain Michael Clarke to use the 25-year-old differently in matches

Australia went on to win that tournament, beating the Black Caps in the final, after losing to them in the opening round in Auckland.

‘The advantage and the positive for us is we’re only four days away from the second Test,’ said Clarke. 

‘That’s a good thing for this team. We’ve been outplayed in this Test match and we look forward to making amends at Lord’s.

‘All the boys will see this game as similar to when we lost to New Zealand in the World Cup. 

‘That gave us a bit of a kick up the backside and this has given us a kick up the backside as well.’

The England slips celebrate as Clarke is caught out during day four of the opening Test in Cardiff

The England slips celebrate as Clarke is caught out during day four of the opening Test in Cardiff

 

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