Mitchell Starc has withdrawn himself from Australia’s squad for the remainder of the T20I series against India on compassionate grounds due to a family illness, Cricket Australia said in a statement on the morning of Game 2 of the three-match series.
Having arrived in Sydney from Canberra on Saturday, Starc reportedly left the team bubble after learning of a family illness. While it hasn’t been confirmed when Starc will rejoin the squad, the Test group is due to link up in Adelaide next week ahead of the opening match of the series, beginning December 17.
“There is nothing in the world more important than family and in this case, Mitch is no exception,” head coach Justin Langer said in a statement. “We will give Mitch all the time he needs and welcome him back into the squad with open arms whenever he feels the time is right for him and his family.”
Starc also missed the third and final ODI of the preceding series against the visitors with soreness but returned to the line-up for the T20I series opener in Canberra. His absence could pave a way for Andrew Tye’s comeback to Australia’s T20I side after a gap of over two years, or a debut for the uncapped Daniel Sams in Sunday’s second match.
There’s also a cloud over skipper Aaron Finch’s availability for the game after he picked up an injury during their 11-run loss to India in the series opener in Canberra. Australia are already without David Warner, Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh for the series, through injuries, while Pat Cummins was rested as a part of his workload management.
