Fit Again Mitchell Starc Looks to Excel in Pakistan Tests

Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has taken positive strides in his preparations of making a comeback to international cricket.

Of late, Starc got included in the intrasquad One-Day match consisting of New South Wales players. He bowled just six overs and ended up conceding 38 runs. However, the pacer will be hoping to make his comeback in the Test series against Pakistan slated in the UAE in October.

Earlier, Mitchell Starc suffered a bone stress reaction in his right leg which forced him to miss the fourth Test against South Africa, the Indian Premier League and Australia’s ODI tour of England. However, the game in Blacktown was the first time Starc played competitive cricket since the infamous Cape Town Test.

“It’s only about the fourth bowl I’ve had to batsmen, so it’s a bit different out in the middle than in the nets,” Starc said on Tuesday. “(I’m) trying to make a few changes to the action and the run-up, trying to find some rhythm through there and have a nice hit out in the middle with the Blues boys,” Starc was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia website.

Mitchell Starc is all set to play a couple of practice games 

Starc is all set to play one more practice match for NSW before the Blues travel north to Brisbane for a pre-season camp. It includes matches against Queensland and the National Performance Squad.

Meanwhile, the series against Pakistan is slated in October. The Test aspirants will be part of quadrangular series consisting of India A, India B and South Africa A.

Mitchell Marsh is the skipper of the Australia A squad which has a good batting line-up. The team consists of new bowling options and full of uncapped players who are promising and have a good future. The Test squad for the series against Pakistan is expected to be named following the conclusion of the A series.

Mitchell Starc will like to believe he is on the right track to be back in Australia colours.

“There’s an Australia A tour over there where the guys are getting some time in the subcontinent,” he said. The guys in Australia are spending some time, like us, out in the middle today (Tuesday). The prep is going really well for everyone looking to put their hand up for that tour,” he added.