Sydney - Australian bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc says he is focused on being ready for the first Test against South Africa after declaring himself available for selection following a grisly training accident.
The 26-year-old suffered deep cuts after colliding with
training equipment at a Sydney ground last month, needing nearly three dozen
stitches to his left leg.
The left-arm pace sustained two gashes just below his knee
and was rushed to hospital where he had surgery.
But after five weeks of recuperation, including wearing a
leg brace, he announced Thursday he was available for New South Wales' first
Sheffield Shield match of the season against Queensland, starting on Tuesday.
"I'm available for (state) selection," he told
reporters in Sydney.
"I'll hopefully be on that plane on Monday to Brisbane
and get some good bowling in and be back playing and ready to go for that first
Test."
The first Test against the Proteas is in Perth from November 3, with further Tests in Hobart and Adelaide.
Starc has been sorely missed by Australia, who were
whitewashed 5-0 in South Africa in a one-day series that ended earlier this
month.
He was Australia's leading bowler on their tour of Sri Lanka
prior to the South Africa hammering, taking 24 wickets at 15.16 in the 3-0 Test
series defeat.
Starc said he had been back up and bowling for around two
weeks.
"Since then it's been fine," he said of his leg.
"I've been bowling off the long run at a net session
with the NSW boys (on Tuesday) and will bowl at them again today and probably
have another session before going over to Brisbane on Monday."