CA to manage Starc's ankle issue

Cricket Australia will continue to manage an ankle injury to key fast-bowler Mitchell Starc in the hope that he will be able to lead their attack at the World T20 in India next year.

Despite bone spurs that periodically cause painful inflamation in his right ankle, Starc has been fit to bowl in 26 of Australia's 27 matches across all formats. He has had just five weeks off in the past 18 months. That workload is far superior to the workloads of fellow fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson (18 matches in 2015) and Josh Hazlewood (16). 

Quick Single: Starc pushes through busy schedule

Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said cortisone injections were required to get Starc through the Qantas Tour of the British Isles.

"As part of his management, we have had regular MRI scans that have confirmed the presence of some bone spurs, that cause the inflamed joint," Kountouris said in a statement. "Pleasingly, the most recent scan did not show any significant deterioration despite the heavy playing schedule in the past 12 months and he has generally coped okay. 

"We have also had specialist surgical opinion and advice so far is that surgery is not required at the moment."

Kountouris said Starc would continue to be monitored regularly but with surgery invovling a lay-off of between three and five months, it was a "last resort" option. 

"Whilst surgery has been discussed, like most other situations, it is a last resort, particularly as it will involve a lengthy lay off from playing," said Kountouris.

"Mitchell has had similar surgery in the past and understands the amount of time and effort that is required to return to playing at his best.  We will be guided by the surgeon on the need for surgery but are hopeful that will not be necessary in the short term."

With Australia to play 10 Tests between October and February ahead of the World T20 in March and April, it's hoped that Starc can continue to manage the pain over the summer and delay the need for surgery until a break in the playing schedule.

Starc had the latest cortisone injection following the third one-day international against England last Tuesday, which forced him to miss the fourth match of the series at Headingley on Friday, the first international of the calendar year he had missed.

The effectiveness of this method of pain management was on full display on Sunday when Starc returned to the side and impressed with 1-44 from nine overs in Australia's series-clinching win.

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Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh was hopeful that Starc could continue to bowl strongly over the summer, but said he was unsure as to how long the 25-year-old could continue playing for before having surgery. 

"We have got some pretty important cricket coming including the T20 World Cup and we would like to see Starc lead the attack for that," Marsh said. "But if he can't, he can't.

"But at the moment the plan is for him to keep going.

"He has got spurs in his ankle and there is a bit of bone that has broken off and floating and every now and then it gets into a position where it is just chronically painful.

"Eventually it is going to have to be removed, but it will take another three or four months after the operation for him to be able to play again.

"He had a cortisone injection (after the third ODI) and that took a day or two to take hold and get him pain free.

"How long that (cortisone) will last and what will happen, it's in the lap of the gods."

Starc will enjoy a ten-day break at home this month – the first time he's been in Australia since mid-April – before heading to Bangladesh for Australia's two-Test tour next month.

Bupa Support Team Head Coach Lehmann confirmed Starc would have scans on his ankle upon his return home, adding he was pleased with the world's No.1 ODI bowler's ability to push through the non-stop playing schedule.

"He's tired, as we all are," Lehmann said. "But I'm pleased he's got through – that's the great thing for him.

"Especially after what he's gone through in the last few years where he hasn't played enough cricket (due to injury)."

Should Starc be able to manage the injury through to the World T20, it's possible he could have surgery next year.

The Australian team will enjoy a break of around six weeks in late April and May next year – when the 2016 Indian Premier League is due to be played. That will be followed by an ODI tri-series in the West Indies featuring South Africa in June before a two-month tour of Sri Lanka in July and August.

The Sri Lankan tour will be followed by another scheduled break of around five weeks before the start of the 2016-17 home summer expected to feature tours by South Africa and Pakistan.