ADVERTISEMENT

Smith optimistic over Mitchell Starc's gruesome injury

Steve Smith reflected on the "gruesome" nature of Mitchell Starc's shin injury on Monday, but added: "We're confident that he'll be okay."

___5506784___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5506784___2016___9___19___15___mitchell-starc-steve-smith-cropped_1t2ybkgoa2vx61kq6vvf22becy_2

Australia captain Steve Smith expects Mitchell Starc to be fit for the first Test against South Africa in November, despite describing the paceman's training-ground injury as "probably one of the most gruesome things I have ever seen".

Starc required approximately 30 stitches in his left shin after landing awkwardly on a piece of training equipment as he took a catch at fielding practice last Thursday.

The left-armer, who had already been rested for Australia's upcoming one-day internationals against South Africa, is set to return for the home Tests against the Proteas, having avoided bone or tendon damage.

Recalling the incident in which Starc was hurt, Smith said: "It was just one of those things. You go for the ball and almost block everything out.

ADVERTISEMENT

"As he was catching it a few of us were saying 'don't go for it' but he took the catch ... and then what happened after that wasn't great.

"It was actually probably one of the most gruesome things I have ever seen.

"I guess for Mitch, he's got no tendon damage or ligament damage so given everything goes well over the next couple of weeks we're confident that'll he be okay for the first Test match."

Discussing Starc's earlier reaction to being rested for the South Africa ODIs, Smith added: "He wasn't overly impressed, but when things like that happen, particularly when he was about to have a bit of a rest and chill out, those are the kind of things you don't want happening.

"He's going to have some time off his feet now, he's going to have a proper rest."

ADVERTISEMENT

"It wasn't great but I'm sure in a couple of weeks' time he'll be okay and back into things."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT