Mitchell Starc has all but ruled himself out of the World T20 in March as he does not want to “rush” his return from the foot fracture he suffered on the opening day of the day-night Test against New Zealand, reports cricket.com.au.
"From all reports the surgery has gone really well," Starc said after the fourth day of the Australia-West Indies Test was washed out at the SCG after relentless rain.
"It's just waiting for the fracture in the foot to heal more than anything now. The ankle is going really well and movement in it is really good at the moment. Hopefully I can get this (orthopaedic) boot off in the next couple of days and start doing more than just sitting on the couch.”
Australia, who have never won the World T20 in five attempts, will have to do so without the services of their highest wicket-taker across all formats in 2015. Not only will be he out for the upcoming limited-overs series against India, but also the tour of New Zealand in February, which precedes the World T20 in India the following month.
"I don't want to rush it," Starc said of his potential return to the Australian side. ”I want to make sure it's 100 per cent because I've rushed back before and been dropped after a game. So I'll make sure it's 100 per cent before I play my first game.”
The 25-year-old is hopeful that the break will give him enough to recover completely and come back refreshed.
“I’ve played non-stop for nearly two years, so the silver lining is that I get to give the body a bit of a break and get back and rebuild that strength and make sure everything is 100 per cent before I go again.”
"It's disappointing I've missed half the summer and the likelihood of a (T20) World Cup but the silver lining is that I've got everything right and I don't have to play through that ankle injury any more.
Despite his impressive performances in 2015, Starc is taking nothing for granted and blieves that he will have to work hard once he is fit for selection.
"I don't think you can ever say you've cemented a spot 100 per cent, so I assume I'm going to have to work my butt off when I'm back to bowling to try and get my spot back (in the Australia Test and limited-overs teams). But I’d like to think in the last 12 months I've come a long way in all forms of cricket.”
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