Mitchell Starc is expected to feature in the third Test against South Africa

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh are likely to play in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town after they managed to get through a training session on Tuesday without any issues.

In the lead-up to that training session, Starc had been dealing with a calf problem, while Marsh was still on the mend after sustaining a groin strain.

However, Starc seemed to be at his very best as he was regularly clocked at 145kph.

“By all reports he (Starc) is right to go,” Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “I heard (opening batsman) Cameron Bancroft saying he was bowling quite quick.

“That’s exciting to have him up and going. I know the bowlers are feeling fresh after a couple of days off.

“It’s been a big summer for them but to have a couple of days off in the lead in to two massive Test matches is pretty exciting. I got no doubts about Starcy.”

Having looked at the wicket, Lyon admitted that Starc will play an instrumental role with the ball in the third Test.

Elaborating on this, the 30-year-old said: “It’s going to depend on how rough we can get the rough side by hitting the wicket.

“You can see Starcy is a massive weapon for us when we want to get the ball reversing, the way he releases the ball he can land it on the rough side and rough it up naturally.

“I dare say it’s still going to play a part, but I don’t think it will play a part as quick as what it probably has in the past two Test matches.

“In the media it’s a green top but talking to (the curator) he’s saying he’s trying to take the pace out of it. It’s going to be an interesting one. It looks a pretty good wicket looking at it right now.”