Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is suing his insurer to recover $1.53 m that he lost out on for missing the IPL last year due to injury, according to Fairfax.

Starc was diagnosed with a calf injury in the second Test against South Africa last year before suffering a tibial bone fracture in the following Test. According to the report, Starc filed a case in the Victorian County Court against the insurers – a syndicate of Lloyd’s of London – of his deal to play for Kolkata Knight Riders after he was bought by the franchise for $1.8 million.

Starc didn’t feature in the tournament and was subsequently released by the franchise for the ongoing season.

According to documents presented to the court and reported by Fairfax, Starc had a $1.53m policy for missing the IPL to injury. The left-arm seamer reportedly paid a premium of $97,920. The particular insurance provides coverage for such unique circumstances. His contract had a number of exclusions for old injuries.

“The parties have exchanged correspondence about the plaintiff’s claim which culminated in a final response from the defendant’s representative in the form of an email sent on 22 November 2018,” the writ said. “That email confirmed the defendant’s contention that the plaintiff is not entitled to the total disablement benefit.”