Mitchell Starc ready for return

With the first Test against South Africa beginning on November 3, the left-armer plans to feature for New South Wales against Queensland starting Tuesday at the Gabba.

Australia paceman Mitchell Starc has been sidelined since early September after suffering two deep cuts just below his left knee when he collided with a piece of training equipment.

Australia paceman Mitchell Starc is set to feature in the Sheffield Shield next week to prove his fitness ahead of the first Test against South Africa.

Starc, 26, has been sidelined since early September after suffering two deep cuts just below his left knee when he collided with a piece of training equipment.

With the first Test to begin on November 3, the left-armer plans to feature for New South Wales against Queensland starting Tuesday at the Gabba. "I'll hopefully be on that plane on Monday to Brisbane," Starc told a news conference on Thursday.

"Get some good bowling in and be back playing and ready to go for that first Test."

Starc said he had resumed bowling and running as he prepares for his return to competitive action. He hopes he can do enough to prove his fitness for the opening Test in Perth. "Looking forward to playing in Perth. It's obviously a bit different with the first Test being in Perth," Starc said.

"We've had some great Test matches there so hopefully it's a full house. It'll be a great atmosphere if we can get five days of a full crowd over in Perth, being another big Test match there, the first of the summer.

"Hopefully I'm there. I'll be making myself available for selection so really looking forward to the start of summer."