Australia's Mitchell Starc eyes Pakistan Tests for Comeback

Australia speedster Mitchell Starc, on Monday, said he is confident of being available for selection for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE in October.

Mitchell Starc has not played for Australia since the tour of South Africa in March this year.

The left-arm pacer had to miss the fourth Test against the Proteas due to a bone stress fracture on his right leg. He subsequently missed the Indian Premier League, the tour of England as well Zimbabwe. However, he has made a steady recovery through rest and rehabilitation and has been bowling for three weeks.

As a result, the fast bowler is now all geared up for the comeback, as he rated his chances very high for the tour of UAE against Pakistan. But at the same time, he cast doubts over the availability of fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Starc said his teammates are yet to resume bowling.

Pat Cummins, who suffered bone oedema in his vertebrae, was ruled out of the IPL while back soreness forced Hazlewood to miss Australia’s limited-overs tour of England.

“I’m definitely available for selection, as long as it all goes well over the next few weeks. There’s not many opportunities to play very much competitive cricket before that tour. I’m aiming to play some practice games for NSW 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 told cricket.com.au.

“The body feels good; I’ve been bowling for three weeks. Once I’ve had a nice night’s sleep here at the SCG (The Chappell Foundation’s Sports Stars Sleepout initiative) I’m going to trek out to Blacktown tomorrow and do some more bowling. I think the plan is to bowl off my full run at about 85 per cent intensity,” he added.

Speaking on the rehabilitation process of Cummins and Hazlewood, he said,

“They haven’t started bowling with me yet. I think maybe both of them could be starting up in Brisbane this week. 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.”

Australia’s tour of Pakistan would consist of two Tests, and will begin on October 3rd in the UAE.