Australia's Starc, England's Overton out of Melbourne Test

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes test with a heel injury while England paceman Craig Overton will also miss the match in Melbourne with a fractured rib. Starc sustained a bruised heel during the win in Perth as Australia took an unassailable 3-0 lead over England to re-take the urn and will be replaced by reserve seamer Jackson Bird, who last played in the corresponding fixture last year.

BREAKING: Australia bowler Mitchell Starc ruled out of fourth Ashes Test with heel injury. #SSN pic.twitter.com/LdaCknVGeJ

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 23, 2017

Although scans ruled that there was no serious injury to the 27-year-old, Starc believes that it would have been unfair to his team mates to play when not fully fit. "It's nice that we've won the series and we can play it a little bit safer. I might get another Boxing Day one day," Starc told reporters on Sunday. "I still feel like I could have played on it ... but it would have put the other guys under pressure if I'd had to pull out midway through a game. "I think common sense has prevailed. Jacko is bowling really well and I'm excited for him..."

ASHES BRUNCH: Starc's wonderball, Overton's belly flop and the rest of the day four round-up. #Ashes https://t.co/zvHxJUvsEA

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) December 17, 2017

England's Overton was struck in the rib while batting in the second test at Adelaide and aggravated the area further while fielding in the series-deciding defeat last week with scans revealing the extent of the damage. "Craig Overton has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test against Australia with a fractured rib" the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Sunday. England must now pick a replacement with Jake Ball, Mason Crane, Tom Curran and Mark Wood all eligible for the penultimate test, which begins on Tuesday.

Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc is only "50-50" to play in the Boxing Day Test. More: https://t.co/AwxTsxoMgk pic.twitter.com/1f404As6a3

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 23, 2017