Young Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will require surgery to repair a broken right index finger, although surgeons hope the 23-year-old will recover in time to be eligible for selection for India’s Border-Gavaskar series which will be held on February 9 starts.
However, pace spearhead Mitchell Starc faces a possible longer stay on the sidelines and will be in a race against time to prove he is fit for the four-Test series in India after also suffering a finger injury in cyclo-cross during the Boxing Day test against South Africa.
The pair are already out of the third and final test against South Africa in Sydney. A report in cricket.com.au said on Thursday after Australia’s innings and 182-run victory against the Proteas in the second Test that Green had consulted a specialist, who recommended surgery.
Green was hit on the finger by a bouncer from Anrich Nortje and was forced to retire on day two, but on the third he thrashed through pain to score an unbeaten half-century. However, Starc will not require surgery for tendon damage to his left middle finger, but 32-year-old Quick may not be available for the series opener against India in Nagpur on February 9.
“India is the next big tour and we will see where the time frame is with that. It’s my bowling hand, so I have to be pretty careful and make sure it heals properly,” Starc told the Proteas after his win.
“The irony is that (Green) will be back before I do. Bones are a little faster in the healing process, the tendon is a little different. I think we both go to the same specialist.
“I still think everyone is confident that it will be more front-end (from the India tour). Of course it will depend on how it heals and how quickly it can do what it needs to do,” Starc added.
The left-armed pacer bowed in pain as he sent down 18 overs in the second innings to take the wicket from Proteas opener Sarel Erwee.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I especially need the middle finger for control,” said Starc, who sustained the injury during fieldwork.
“I’ve been on a lot of painkillers. I could have jabbed it (to numb the finger) but I feel like I need the feel of the ball on the finger or I feel like I would have sprayed it all over the place.
“I’ve played with a broken foot before… it’s Test match cricket. I’ve been injured on both sides and then (bowling as part of an attack) with one man down. Having (Cameron) Greeny with a broken finger probably helped with that decision to push through,” he added.