Starc has surgery, could miss World T20

Australia

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc will undergo ankle surgery soon, and will thus be ruled out of the home summer, as probably the World Twenty20 in India next year as well.

Starc, who has been dealing with bone spurs in his ankle for years, had initially said he wanted to delay the surgery, but doctors have advised him to do it now, while his fractured foot heals as well.

Starc, who has been Australia's premier bowler this year, and was a large part of why they won the World Cup in March, was ruled out of the recent Tests against New Zealand when the ankle became too troublesome.

Team physio David Beakley said: "Mitchell met with specialists late last week to get an opinion on his recent foot injury and ongoing right ankle impingement.

"After discussions with specialists, and in consultation with Mitchell, we believe the best course of action would be for Mitchell to have the surgery for his ankle impingement now while he is currently laid off with the stress fracture in his foot.

"His return to play timeframes will be clearer once the surgery is complete but it is unlikely that he will be available for the ICC World T20."

This gives bowlers like James Pattinson, who replaced Starc for the West Indies series, Peter Siddle, and Nathan Coulter-Nile the chance to impress over the next few months.

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