“He will be fine” - Mitchell Starc most likely to be fit for the SCG Test against India

Australian keeper-batter Alex Carey has stated that the pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will be fine for the upcoming New Year Test against India, which is scheduled to start on January 3, Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.

Notably, Mitchell Starc bowled a lot of overs despite suffering from sore ribs during the Boxing Day Test, which Australia comfortably won by 184 runs. Though Aussies are worried about Starc’s fitness, Carey feels the pacer will push through and be available for the fifth and final Test of the series.

"He'll be fine. He will push through," Carey told the media ahead of the start of the SCG Test.

"I've played with Starcy (Mitchell Starc) for a long time now and he is one of the toughest cricketers that I've played with. He'll grimace and grab his rib without a doubt at times but he'll be ready for the contest,” he added.

Moreover, the Australian selectors will take the final call on Starc’s availability closer to the Test. It’s worth noting that if Australia secures a victory in the SCG Test, they will secure their spot in the WTC Final against South Africa, scheduled to take place later this year at the Lord’s.

If India manages to win the New Year Test, they will draw the series 2-2 and retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy, winning it for the fifth consecutive time.

Who will replace Mitchell Starc in Sydney if he misses out?

If the Australian selectors decide to rest Starc, Jhye Richardson, the 28-year-old pacer, is likely to be his replacement, who last played a Test in December 2021 against England at the Adelaide Oval, bagging five wickets in second innings.

"It's hard to think about that (prospect of playing the next Test). You can't spend too much energy wondering about what's going to happen with selections. (I'm) trying to not think about it too much but if the opportunity arises, I'll do my best to grab it,” Jhye Richardson told cricket.com.au.

In conclusion, Australian keeper-batter Alex Carey has expressed confidence that Mitchell Starc will be fit for the upcoming New Year Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Despite suffering from sore ribs during the Boxing Day Test, Starc is expected to push through and be available for the fifth and final Test of the series. The Australian selectors will make the final decision on Starc's availability closer to the Test. If Australia wins the SCG Test, they will secure their spot in the WTC Final against South Africa. If India wins, they will draw the series 2-2 and retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

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