Australia’s concerns over Mitchell Starc’s fitness have been alleviated after the left-armer was cleared to bowl at the start of day three of the fourth Ashes Test.
Starc left the field late on day two at Old Trafford after diving for a ball and landing heavily on his left shoulder.
He attempted to return moments later on Thursday but his comeback was aborted after three balls and he returned to the sidelines.
However, Starc was back on the field on Friday morning and was able to bowl the first over from the James Anderson end.
Australia are also confident there are no lingering concerns over the 33-year-old’s left hamstring, after he appeared to feel it while bowling in the middle session on Thursday.
Starc’s fitness is crucial to Australia’s hopes of retaining the Ashes, even if they are to be beaten at Old Trafford.
There is only a brief turnaround to Thursday’s final Test at The Oval, and Starc has been Australia’s most threatening bowler in this series.
Josh Hazlewood has so far been unable to play back-to-back Tests on a short turnaround on this tour, but is hopeful of doing so this time around.
Pat Cummins has already played five straight Tests on this tour and expects to feature at The Oval, while questions will be asked over whether spinner Todd Murphy should return to the team.
