Australia Captain Michael Clarke says paceman Mitchell Starc is winning his battle to be fit for the second Ashes Test at Lords, which starts on Thursday.
After the conclusion of the second Test, Australia will travel to Derby for the start of the thee-day Bell & Co Tourist Fixture, starting on Thursday 23 July.
Star, who took pain-killing injections for an ankle injury during last week’s first-Test in Cardiff, is a doubt for the second Test but Clarke says he has reacted “positively” to treatment as Australia look to bounce back from the 169-run defat at Cardiff.
“Spending a bit of time with the Australian physio, he’s confident that, although it’s a short turnaround before the second Test, there’s been a lot of positives that have come out of the last couple of days since he was cortisoned, and things are going really well there,” Clarke told Melbourne radio station Triple M.
“Starc obviously had some ankle pain and had an injection to bowl in the second innings, but the positive again was the fact he was able to bowl and do what was needed for the team.
“He batted as well in the second innings and ran between the wickets fine.”
Should Starc, who was named player of the tournament at this year’s World Cup, fail to prove his fitness, Australia have Peter Siddle or Pat Cummins in reserve.
Australia have already suffered one significant bowling injury during this tour, with Ryan Harris withdrawing and subsequently retiring from the game because of a knee problem.
England have named an unchanged 13-man squad for Lord’s.
Bell & Co Tourist Fixture
Derbyshire vs Australia
Thursday 23, Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July
Derbyshire welcome Australia to Derby in the Bell & Co Tourist Fixture on Thursday 23 July for the start of the three-day tour match. Buy your matchday tickets in advance & save £4 per adult ticket purchased. Watch international stars including Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and David Warner in action at Derby.
Hospitality is also still available. Click HERE
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