Australian opening batsman Cameron Bancroft believes that their prime pacer Mitchell Starc will be fit before the third Test that will begin on this Thursday at Cape Town. The four-match Test series is currently level by the 1-1 margin after the second game.
The upcoming Cape Town Test is very crucial for both teams in this series. While South Africa gets a boost as Kagiso Rabada’s suspension overturned, Australia’s headache is increasing on Mitchell Starc’s fitness.
Also read: Kagiso Rabada Gets A Green Signal To Play Newlands Test
The Australian prime pacer is suffering from a calf issue. The left-arm pacer needs to pass the fitness test to make available himself for the upcoming third Test.
Talking about Starc’s injury, Australian opening batsman Cameron Bancroft said, “The four days off have been good for everyone, especially our bowlers, they have done a lot of work in the last six months. Sometimes the bowlers just work their way into the games a little bit differently, his (Starc’s) preparation might be a little bit different going into this game.”
Bancroft also confident on Starc’s availability for the third Test which will begin on this Thursday. The 25-years old right-handed batsman said on that, “I think in the past, he’s bowled a couple of days out and had that third day as a bit of a rest day. Hopefully, he’ll bowl (on Tuesday), I’m sure he’ll be ok.”
Bancroft also commented on the Cape Town pitch. He said, “I have had a bit of a squizz (look) at the wicket. I’ve not played a test match here before, but in the games gone by the wicket has offered a little bit more with the ball and been challenging for batters. We will prepare for a lot of different scenarios. But we also know in history gone by when Australia have played here what the wickets are like.”
Also read: Elgar said the backroom noise is hampering the exciting value of series
There have almost ten-day gaps between the end of the second Test and beginning of the third Test of this series. Bancroft mentioned that as a good refresher for the team.
He commented on that, “A few of the guys went shark diving the other day, I was pretty sea sick for the whole time, so I will be laying off boats for now. Some guys went up Table Mountain, others went away on safari. That is the beauty of playing cricket around the world, you get to come to amazing places like Cape Town. It has been a good refresher, but now time to get our heads back on.”
