Mitchell Starc hopeful to regain fitness prior to the Ashes

Mitchell Starc and injuries have a history together that the cricketer can’t get rid of. He got injured midway during the Indian tour with a broken foot in March. Two months later, Starc returned to the national squad for ICC Champions Trophy only to re-injure his right foot. Since then, Starc has not played for his national side. However, the 27-year old is confident he will be ready in time for The Ashes 2017-18.

Looking to return for the Australians in the upcoming Ashes series, Starc has his eyes on JLT  Cup where he would represent  New South Wales Blues. Following the limited-overs series, 3 rounds of Sheffield Shield are scheduled. This provides ample opportunity for Starc, his team-mates and others aspiring to make the cut in the The Ashes squad or even prepare for it.

“It’s nice to be back bowling. It has been fantastic to be back with the Blues boys and training around the guys I haven’t always had the chance to the last couple of years. To spend some time in the gym, to be back bowling now it’s all on track. Barring any hiccups I’ll be taking part in the JLT Cup and hopefully those first couple of Shield games as well. I think that’s a great lead-up for all the guys who are around the Test set-up, the guys who are looking to try and get in that team and some of us coming back from injury,” claimed Mitchell Starc according to cricket.com.au.

Rest ensured this time

Because of him being injury prone lately, Starc is now aware of what proper rest should be like, before heading back to the International arena. He further stressed that rigorous workouts will cover up for the matches that he lost out. The left-armer has instead been getting his body strong in the gym in preparation for a gruelling summer.

“The last few times I’ve been injured I’ve been rushed back too early for tournaments. The same thing happened in the Champions Trophy, so to have a nice even lead-in to this summer has been good. It has been a silver lining to spend a lot of time in the gym and not rush back into bowling and make sure I haven’t got any niggles leading into a very important summer.” added Starc.

Subcontinent record no factor for Ashes

Despite an embarrassing show in the first test, Australia did well to recover as they equaled the series as they upset Bangladesh in the second Test at Chittagong today. Starc emphasizes on the same, saying that the Dhaka Test or his team’s record in the subcontinent was no indicator for the Ashes.

“It’s very different playing in home conditions compared to the subcontinent. It is going to be completely different being a home Ashes series, conditions we know really well and it is an Ashes series. I’ve not played one at home, I’m really looking forward to it, I know the rest of the group are,” concluded Mitchell Starc.