Australia's Mitchell Starc has been cleared of serious injury ahead of day two of the Boxing Day test after suffering a finger injury on day one.
The fast bowler left the field and was sent for an X-ray after the conclusion of the day's play, now cleared of any serious injury and set to join his teammates as day two begins.
Cricket Australia reported that despite the vision seen of the injury, Starc did not suffer a dislocation and the injury was not as serious as first thought.
Speaking after the conclusion of day one, teammate Nathan Lyon admitted that Starc's injury didn't look great.
โNot ideal, I don't think,โ Lyon said to cricket.com.au
โHe's popped off for a scan now. Fingers crossed we can get the best possible result with his scan.
Cricket Australia initially indicated no dislocation for Mitchell Starc, if true the main concern here is mallet finger (tendon tear on top of the finger). One of the more common causes of the tip of the finger bending like that. Hope thatโs not the casepic.twitter.com/V6a8WDKCO9
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) December 26, 2022
โI donโt know what he's technically done, but it doesn't look the greatest.
โHe went out the back and tried to bowl, but I think it (felt) a bit different to be honest.
โUnfortunately, injuries are part of the game โฆ all we can hope for is he gets the best possible result with the scan โ heโs there as we speak.โ
Australia head into day two after a strong Boxing Day performance, bowling out South Africa for 189. Theyย will resume day two at 1/45.