Mitchell Starc likely to miss the T20I World Cup

Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will have ankle surgery and is likely to miss the T20I World Cup in India next year, Cricket Australia said on Thursday. Starc will go under the knife to repair an ongoing ankle issue, one he’s been managing for most of the year.

“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,” said Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley.

Starc, who has had trouble with his right ankle stemming back to the Ashes series in England this year, suffered a stress fracture on the same foot in the day-night third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide late last month. The loss of Starc is a cruel blow for Australia, who will be without the 25-year-old for at least their Test tour of New Zealand in February and probably the World T20 in March and April.

He is Australia’s leading strike bowler and has taken 91 wickets in 25 Tests at 30.58. He also bowled the fastest-recorded Test delivery of 160.4 kmph (99.7mph) during the drawn second Perth Test. A date for surgery is yet to be confirmed. The World Cup of the shortest format of the game will take place in India in March-April 2016.