Australia were given a much needed boost ahead of their upcoming tour of the UAE where they take on Pakistan. Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is nearing full fitness once again after a long injury layoff following the tibial bone stress reaction he suffered in his right leg in the tour of South Africa in April.
The 28-year-old fast bowler is now on track to be fully fit for the two-Test series against Pakistan.
“I’m definitely available for selection, as long as it all goes well over the next few weeks,” Starc told cricket.com.au.
“There’s not many opportunities to play very much competitive cricket before that tour. I’m aiming to play some practice games for New South Wales when they’re up in Brisbane if that plan goes ahead.
“The (comeback) plan will keep changing and developing with how my progress is. At the moment I’d like to think I’m very much available for selection for that UAE tour.”
Starc has been out of action since Australia’s tour of South Africa.
While Starc’s recovery remains on track, Australia are still sweating over the fitness of pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Hazlewood was slated to participate in Australia’s recent limited-overs tour of England but a sore back ruled him out on the eve of departure. Cummins meanwhile, has suffered a bone oedema in his vertebrae before the start of the 2018 IPL.
“They (Cummins and Hazlewood) haven’t started bowling with me yet. I think maybe both of them could be starting up in Brisbane this week,” Starc explained.
“Hopefully the three of us are back on deck and available for the UAE. I think I’m a little bit ahead of the other two with my rehab at the moment,” he added.
Australia coach Justin Langer will be hoping he has the services of his pace triumvirate available to him when his team take on Pakistan in the UAE this October. The Pakistan clashes will be the first Test of Langer’s Australia tenure and also the team’s first since the infamous ball-tampering episode in Cape Town earlier this year.