Starc available for Pakistan series in UAE

In a big relief for a meek-looking Australian Test side, Mitchell Starc is fit and available for selection for their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan in UAE.

In a big relief for a meek-looking Australian Test side, Mitchell Starc is fit and available for selection for their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan in UAE.

The left-arm fast bowler was suffering from a tibial bone stress reaction in his right leg, suffered during the third Test match against South Africa in March that kept him out of action for more than five months. He even missed the IPL and the tri-nation T20 series that followed it.

"I'm definitely available for selection (for the UAE tour), as long as it all goes well over the next few weeks,” Starc told Cricket.com.au.

"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," he added.

Reflecting on his recovery process, the pacer said that his body is feeling good at the moment and he is bowling according to the plan.
"The body feels good, I've been bowling for three weeks," he said.
"I think the plan is to bowl off my full run at about 85 per cent intensity," he added.

With not much of cricket going on Australia, Starc’s wishes to take part to some practice games for New South Wales to gain match fitness. There are 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," Starc said.

Australia will meet Pakistan for two Test matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this October.