“We believe the best course of action would be for Mitchell to have the surgery”

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Australia left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc has decided to undergo ankle surgery in order to treat the foot fracture he sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last month.

Starc initially said that he wanted to postpone going under the knife in order to represent Australia on their tour of New Zealand in February and in the World Twenty20 in India in March.

However, Starc is set to miss the tour of New Zealand and the World Twenty20 as he has opted to put an end to his chronic ankle problems by undergoing the surgical procedure.

“Mitchell met with specialists late last week to get an opinion on his recent foot injury and ongoing right ankle impingement,” team physiotherapist David Beakley said. “After discussions with specialists, and in consultation with Mitchell, we believe the best course of action would be for Mitchell to have the surgery for his ankle impingement now while he is currently laid off with the stress fracture in his foot.

“His return to play timeframes will be clearer once the surgery is complete but it is unlikely that he will be available for the ICC World T20.”