Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc likely to miss the World Twenty20 in India 

 

Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc is almost certainly out of the World T-20 in India after deciding to undergo ankle surgery.
The 25-year-old, who was the joint leading wicket-taker at the ICC Cricket World Cup, has had long-term ankle problems and is recovering from a fracture he suffered in the day-night test in Adelaide.
Starc spent several days thinking over the decision for surgery and weighed up the prospect of returning and continuing to manage the problem.
But he believed that it was better in the long-term to fix the injury before returning.
It is a significant blow to Australia's chances of winning the only ICC trophy that has eluded them since the inaugural World T-20 in 2007.
"Mitchell met with specialists late last week to get an opinion on his recent foot injury and ongoing right ankle impingement," team physio David Beakley told ESPN Cricinfo.
"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 time-frames will be clearer once the surgery is complete but it is unlikely that he will be available for the ICC World T20."
Starc, who took career-best ODI figures of 6-28 against the Black Caps in the pool match during the Cricket World Cup, will also miss Australia's tour of New Zealand in February.
He battled the bone spurs issue three summers ago in the Boxing Day test against Sri Lanka in December 2012 before he pushed through the pain to tour India.

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He had surgery ahead of the 2013 Champions Trophy and Ashes and looked to be clear of his problems.
However, sharp pain returned during the Ashes tour this year and, while Starc was able to struggle through, he knew that he required more surgery to fix the problem.

 - Stuff.co.nz