Mitchell Starc in mourning after devastating family tragedy

Mitchell Starc has pulled out of New South Wales' Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria after the death of his father.

The New South Wales Blues announced the news on Wednesday that Starc would sit out the clash on the weekend in Bowral after Paul Starc died.

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"Starc will miss the game after his father Paul lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday," the Blues statement read.

Starc recently withdrew from the second and third T20s against India on compassionate grounds to spend as much time in Sydney as possible.

Starc's wife Alyssa Healy was also ruled out of NSW's WNCL clash with Tasmania earlier on Wednesday.

"It's very sad, sad news and all our thoughts and prayers are going to Mitch and his family," teammate Nathan Lyon said.

"It's a tough time from Mitch but he knows that he's got all our love and support."

Steve Smith sitting out with elbow injury

Meanwhile, Steve Smith will also miss the match due to elbow discomfort.

Smith has battled elbow soreness for six weeks and that has worsened in recent days, prompting the call to pull him out of the Shield match.

The 31-year-old revealed last week he did not pick up a bat for almost a month to try and fix the issue, during the break since the Test series against India.

"I have had some pain in my elbow that's gradually worsened since the Test against India at the SCG and it requires some rest and rehab," Smith said.

"I am hoping I will be right to travel with the Blues to Adelaide for our games down there next week but we will have to see how it responds to treatment."

Smith has missed games in England in the past two winters through concussions but has otherwise rarely sat out matches.

He attempted to train on Tuesday but experienced severe discomfort, however, the good news is at least this is in the opposite elbow to the one that required surgery in 2019.

"He tried to have a hit yesterday and he was just in uncomfortable pain," Lyon said.

"Talking to him just before he says that he's struggling to hold the bat.

"Knowing Steve Smith the way I do, for him to miss a game of cricket when we don't have much on, I think it must be pretty sore or irritating."

with AAP

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