No major concerns over Starc despite knee blow at training

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Left-arm quick was struck in the nets two days before Sri Lanka game, but trained on match eve

Australia aren’t concerned over the fitness of fast bowler Mitchell Starc ahead of their crucial T20 World Cup clash with Sri Lanka despite him copping a blow on the knee in the nets on Tuesday.

Starc was struck on the right knee by a straight drive in his follow-through during Australia’s Tuesday night training session at the ICC Academy. He left the session with a heavy limp and in some discomfort, but was moving without assistance.

Starc trained fully on Wednesday with a compression bandage on his knee but did bat and bowl during the session with medical staff continuing to monitor his bruising.

Australia have two matches in three days, as they face Sri Lanka on Thursday and England on Saturday, and management of their fast bowling stocks will be critical.

Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins all played in Australia’s opening win against South Africa in Abu Dhabi as part of an attack with only four specialist bowlers. It was the first time all three had played a T20I together, having played six times together in T20s for Sydney Sixers in 2012, with the Sixers winning all six games.

Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar were left out of the win over South Africa, and coach Justin Langer said the decision was very tough. The coach stressed Australia would be flexible throughout the tournament with their selections, depending on conditions and match-ups.

Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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