Mitchell Starc, the Australian spearhead, has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test and will be replaced by backup quick Jackson Bird. Similarly, English pace man Craig Overton has also been ruled out of the 4th test.
England suffered another blow on Sunday (December 24) when pacer Craig Overton was ruled out of the fourth Test with a fractured rib. Overton, who made his debut in the day-night Test in Adelaide, looked impressive with both bat and ball but still saw his side slump to a defeat, which was followed by another morale-crushing loss in the third Test in Perth.
The 23-year-old was initially struck on the ribs during his debut while batting and the condition only worsened at the WACA when he attempted to take a catch off his bowling. Scans later revealed a crack in the rib. Tom Curran is likely to replace the lanky pace bowler, who went to Australia being the replacement of injured Steven Finn.