Why ICC rules preventing Starc from bowling with a taped finger?
A bit question in the ongoing Australia verus Sri Lanka ODI, is Why ICC rules preventing Starc from bowling with a taped finger? Mitchell Starc, Australia’s pace spearhead, attended a training session at Pallekele Stadium ahead of the five-match One-day International series against Sri Lanka, but despite the hosts’ dire need for quick bowlers, it’s unlikely he’ll be in the starting XI for the opener later on Tuesday.
The reason ICC rules preventing Starc from bowling with a taped finger is that his injured index finger in his bowling arm is still taped, and ICC regulations “bar him from playing the first match,” according to a report on cricket.com.au on Tuesday.
Due to injuries to four players in the span of a week, Australia’s pace bowling pool has been badly weakened on the tour. Even if Starc is able to play, Australia “will not be permitted” to use one of their top 50-over bowlers, as ICC rules preventing Starc from bowling with a taped finger according to the article.
In the first over of the T20 series, the 32-year-old paceman suffered a serious gash in his left bowling hand’s index finger. He did not play in the remaining T20Is, and while the injury may have healed to the point where he could bowl with a taped finger, the sport’s global governing body laws preclude him from doing so and that has led to ICC rules preventing Starc from bowling with a taped finger.
“Hand or finger protection may be worn only with the consent of the umpires,” according to ICC rules, and “under guidance notes for match officials issued by the International Cricket Council, umpires take a much sterner view for bowlers, and tape on the fingers of the bowling hand is effectively outlawed,” according to the report.
Australia had planned to play three quicks in the first ODI — Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Test skipper Pat Cummins — to put pressure on the opposition from the start, but given the scenario, they’ll have to find a replacement for Starc.
“It is certainly (a) testing (situation),” said captain Aaron Finch, adding that Starc and Mitchell Marsh would likely to be available from the third ODI onwards.”