Mitchell Starc has only played in one Boxing Day Test since making his debut back in 2011

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia will be sweating over the fitness of left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc as he could miss the fourth Ashes Test on Boxing Day with a bruised heel.

Starc was on crutches after the third Test in Perth, where Australia regained the Ashes after taking an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

However, while scans have cleared Starc of any serious injuries, he will be reassessed prior to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Given that Australia have already won the Ashes, Starc could be rested as Australia have a tough tour of South Africa coming up.

That being said, Starc has only featured in one Boxing Day Test in his career and will no doubt be eager to inflict more damage with the ball.

In the first three Tests of the series, the 27-year-old sits atop the wicket-takers list with 19 victims at an average of 21.05.

However, just in case Starc is not fit to play, Australia have retained fellow seamer Jackson Bird in their squad instead of releasing him to represent the Sydney Sixers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).