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Starc 'unlikely' to feature in WT20

Injured fast bowler concedes returning to lead chase for last remaining global title a bridge too far

Mitchell Starc, the bowling hero of Australia's World Cup win last year, has conceded he is "very unlikely" to be part of the team's campaign to win the one major global cricket trophy that has thus far eluded them, the ICC World T20 title.

Starc, named player of the tournament for his 22 World Cup wickets at 10.18, is yet to resume running after suffering a stress fracture in his left foot last November and opting to use that enforced lay-off to also undergo ankle surgery.

The 25-year-old had three bone spurs that had developed in his left ankle pared back during the surgery as well as having a chunk of bone removed from the back of the joint and scar tissue that had built up over years of wear and tear scraped out.

But despite hopes that he might be sufficiently recovered to take part in the World T20 tournament that begins in India in March, Starc admits that scenario is now "very unlikely" and he remains unsure when he will return to competitive cricket.

WATCH: Starc forced off with injury

"From all reports the surgery has gone really well," Starc said today at the SCG, where relentless rain washed out the fourth day of the third Test between Australia and the West Indies that has seen just 86.2 overs bowled.

"It's just waiting for the fracture in the foot to heal more than anything now.

"The ankle is going really well and movement in it is really good at the moment.

"Hopefully I can get this (orthopaedic) boot off in the next couple of days and start doing more than just sitting on the couch."

Having sustained the foot fracture on the opening day of the historic day-night Test against New Zealand last year, Starc has missed the campaign against the West Indies and won't be available for the upcoming ODI series against India and the tour to New Zealand in February.

And now that he has all-but ruled himself out of the World T20, a tournament that Australia has not won at five attempts, it is also unclear whether he will be available for some or any of the subsequent Indian Premier League with his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Starc indicated it will be mid-February before he is able to resume running at top pace, and there was a chance his return to top-level bowling might be delayed until Australia's ODI tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean in June.

"I don't want to rush it," Starc said of the timetable surrounding his return to cricket.

WATCH: Starc's furious WACA spell

"I want to make sure it's 100 per cent because I've rushed back before and been dropped after a game.

"So I'll make sure it's 100 per cent before I play my first game.

"I've played non-stop for nearly two years, so the silver lining is that I get to give the body a bit of a break and get back and rebuild that strength and make sure everything is 100 per cent before I go again.

"It's disappointing I've missed half the summer and the likelihood of a (T20) World Cup but the silver lining is that I've got everything right and I don't have to play through that ankle injury any more.

"I don't think you can ever say you've cemented a spot 100 per cent, so I assume I'm going to have to work my butt off when I'm back to bowling to try and get my spot back (in the Australia Test and limited-overs teams).

"But I'd like to think in the last 12 months I've come a long way in all forms of cricket."

WATCH: Starc dominates the Matador Cup

Starc had carried the ankle problems throughout 2015, most notably during the opening Test of Australia's failed Ashes campaign where he was noticeably limping, and he suspects the heavy strapping he was required to wear on his ankle contributed to the foot fracture.

He had hoped to continue playing through until the World T20 ended in early April before undergoing surgery, but when he felt the bone in his foot snap as he completed his ninth over in Adelaide he took the opportunity to combine the two recovery periods.

The six weeks on the sidelines since then has enabled Starc, a vocal opponent to the introduction of day-night Test matches prior to the format being launched against the Black Caps, to reflect on the success or otherwise of the pink ball used in cricket's latest innovation.

And he believes the decision to maintain additional grass on the Adelaide Oval pitch to ensure the ball did not deteriorate as quickly or markedly as it had previously on harshly abrasive surfaces underscored the concerns he continues to hold about day-night Test matches.

"It was a great turnout from the crowd, and the contest between bat and bat was what impressed me the most," Starc said of the history making Test which he watched mostly from the sidelines before being called on to bat as Australia limped to victory on the third evening.

AS IT HAPPENED: Starc injured in Adelaide 

"Out of that series (against NZ), it was the closest game. It only lasted three days but I guess it was the most entertaining game out of the series.

"(But) the different ball created that, with the different conditions under the lights, so I still think there is a bit of a way to go there.

"I think the ball has come a long way and (manufacturers) Kookaburra are doing a great job there, but there still might be a few things to tinker with.

"I think they are tinkering with the colour of the seam this season and that might even help some more.

"The guys (players) are still saying they can't see the seam, and I still think when you're preparing a wicket to protect the ball, there's your issue.

"I'd like to see the wickets keep their own characteristics and not have to change for the cricket ball."

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