Aussies confront Starc reality

Australia are sweating over a fresh injury concern ahead of the third Test against South Africa with spearhead Mitchell Starc unable to bowl at their first training session in Cape Town.

Starc, who has a sore calf, was restricted to batting duties on Monday. The news was better for Mitch Marsh, who suffered a minor groin strain during the second Test.

Marsh wasn’t able to bowl at full pace alongside Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who both steamed in during a spirited centre-wicket session. But late in the session the all-rounder briefly trundled in, exercising great caution as team doctor Richard Saw watched on.

Team management were confident Starc and Marsh would both prove their fitness in yesterday’s session. Both setbacks are minor but there is scant wiggle room ahead of the match that starts tomorrow.

“Sometimes the bowlers just work their way into games a little bit differently,” Cameron Bancroft said of Starc.

“His preparation might be a little bit different going into this game. “Hopefully he’ll bowl (on Tuesday). I’m sure he’ll be okay.”

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns and coach Darren Lehmann opted against flying a cover player in for Marsh.

It suggests they are confident the all-rounder will be fully fit, or are comfortable picking him as an in-form batsman.

“Absolutely. He’ll hopefully pick that (speed) up leading up to the game on Thursday. I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Bancroft said when asked if Marsh will be cleared to bowl in the third Test.

Losing Starc would be an immense blow to the hosts’ hopes of winning the series, currently level at 1-1. The leftarmer earned man-of-the-match honours during Australia’s series-opening win in Durban.

Uncapped duo Chadd Sayers and Jhye Richardson are the reserve pacemen in the touring squad.

Meanwhile, suspended Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada's six-hour hearing was over but the wait for independent commissioner Michael Heron's verdict continued yesterday.