Australia to Puts Strict Bowlings Restrictions on Mitchell Starc

Australia to Puts Strict Bowlings Restrictions on Mitchell Starc

Australian Mitchell Starc, Australia's bowling spearhead, is likely to have strict bowling restrictions placed on him by Cricket Australia (CA) in his return from a nasty leg injury.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Starc is set to only play half of the Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales against Queensland starting on Tuesday (October 25) at the Gabba. To ensure he is available for the opening Test against South Africa starting on November 3, CA wants to manage its prized asset ahead of a hectic international schedule.

Even though it's a first-class match, players can be pulled mid-match if it's in the interests of the national team and that scenario played out earlier this year when Victorians Peter Siddle and James Pattinson only played half a Shield match leading into a Test series in New Zealand.

The 26-year-old hasn't played in over six weeks since badly lacerating his leg in a training mishap and the Sheffield Shield match shapes as his only workout before an arduous Test schedule.

Meanwhile, Peter Siddle, Australia's veteran spearhead, could be a surprise inclusion in Australia's team for the Perth Test, according to his state captain Matthew Wade.

The 31-year-old had been on the sidelines for six months with back and ankle injuries but showed glimpses of his best during three matches for Victoria during the Matador Cup. Wade said Siddle, who has taken 208 wickets from 61 Tests, had been in "terrific" form.

"He'll play the Shield game for us, hopefully, and hopefully play the first Test to be honest," Wade said on Friday (October 21). "I think that'll be his lead-in. If he gets through the Shield game, I think he'll be available for the first Test. I think he's pretty keen to play (the Shield game) and I think the medical staff are close to giving him the okay.

"Hopefully we hear a final answer on that but I think it's pretty close to being ticked off," Wade added. "Fingers crossed all goes well for him and everything lines up, but he's been bowling as well as I've seen him bowl for a period of time."