Xtra Time Web Desk: Australia will be without two of their key players Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell for the ODI series opener against India at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Friday. Starc has not played any competitive match since the conclusion of the Ashes series against England in July. Starc missed the white ball series against South Africa due to a groin injury.
“Starc is here. He wants to play tomorrow but he will hopefully be available later in the series. Same for Maxwell,” Starc said in his pre match conference in Mohali.
Starc was the highest wicket-taker in the Ashes. The left arm pacer picked 23 wickets in the series against England. He had to play in the final Ashes test with a shoulder injury.
The left arm pacer was seen rolling his arms at the nets in the PCA stadium along with Cummins. It is just a precautionary measure that the Australian team management has decided to rest him for the first ODI.
Glenn Maxwell is also unavailable for the first ODI against India as the all-rounder will join the squad on Friday. The swashbuckling all-rounder has injured his ankle during a training session in South Africa.
In fact, both Maxwell and Starc missed the white ball series against South Africa along with Pat Cummins and Steve Smith.