Steve Smith says Mitchell Starc will scare batsmen on his return from injury

Australian skipper Steve Smith will be able to bank on the services of spearhead Mitchell Starc for the first time in six months as the pacer makes a return from a stress fracture suffered in his foot. Smith has said that Starc was fit and firing and would scare South African and West Indian batsmen in Australia’s upcoming tri-series in West Indies.

The left arm pacer continued his return from injury at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane where he bowled at full pace off his long run-up in Australia’s final practice session before their tour to the Caribbean. Starc was bowling in full form and also struck batsman Matthew Wade in the abdomen with a quick delivery.

The incident left Smith with no doubt about Starc’s form coming into the tour to West Indies, “It's nice to have Mitchell Starc back bowling the way he is, he's looking fresh and bowling at good pace. Hopefully, some of the South African and West Indies batsmen are a little bit scared at the moment.”

He hopes that the pacer can pick up where he left off saying, “Hopefully some of the South African and West Indies batsmen are a little bit scared at the moment. It's exciting to have him back and hopefully he can have some success straight away, or pick up where he left off.”

Smith felt Starc’s reliability was a boost to the Australian squad saying, “The set of skills he brings to the game, he knows what he's doing 100 percent of the time. He's that banker ... it's nice to have him back."

Australian players return from injury

Skipper Steve Smith was one of the five Australian players who withdrew from the IPL due to an injury. Smith himself suffered from a wrist injury that cut short his IPL stint. He felt that the injury lay-off had actually been beneficial to him.

He said “It’s coming along good, it was nice to rest it for a couple of weeks and not pick up a bat or catch any balls. It’s done it the world of good.”

Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are also returning from respective injuries and will be fit for the tri-series starting on June 5. Speaking about the return of these players, the captain said, “Maxy’s had a chance to recover and I think he’ll be fine for the first game.

“We’ll wait until we get over there and the medical staff can assess him then but I think he’s tracking really well. Mitch Marsh has been getting through his loads up here this week, he’s been bowling well and batting well.”