Mitchell Starc ruled out of fourth Ashes Test with bruised heel

Ruled out: Mitchell Starc
EPA
David Clough24 December 2017

Mitchell Starc will miss the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne because of his bruised heel.

Cricket Australia confirmed the absence of the series' leading wicket-taker before practice at the MCG on Sunday morning local time, and that Jackson Bird will replace him against England.

Starc was described the previous day by his fellow Australia pace bowler Pat Cummins as having only a "50/50" chance of taking part in the fourth Test.

The left-armer, who has taken 19 wickets in three matches so far and been a driving force in Australia's surge into a series-sealing 3-0 lead, has spent much of the past week on crutches to try to speed up his recovery.

Starc has an unhappy habit of missing Boxing Day Tests, although he played a starring role 12 months ago against Pakistan as Australia earned an innings victory in Melbourne.

Injuries or form have often counted him out, and fellow Australia quick Josh Hazlewood indicated it was no laughing matter.

"We were joking around, but it's still a bit off limits, those jokes about Boxing Day," Hazlewood said, according to Cricket Australia's website.

"He's obviously been unlucky."

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