MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Injured fast bowler Mitchell Starc is eyeing a quick return to the Australian team after being forced to miss the fourth Ashes test against England in Melbourne.
The leading wicket-taker from the first three tests, all won by Australia, Starc was ruled out of the Melbourne match because of a bruised heel but hopes to be back for the series finale, starting in Sydney on Jan. 4.
''Hopefully it will be good enough,'' he told Australia's Nine Network on Tuesday. ''It was touch and go for this one.
''It was a bit more caution than anything. We will see how it comes up next week. Hopefully it goes away in the next couple of days and I can get ready for Sydney.''
With the left-arm Starc ruled unfit for Melbourne, Jackson Bird was recalled to play his first test in a year.
Bird was not involved in any action after Australia won the toss and elected to bat first on what proved to be a flat pitch.
The home team, who have already clinched the five-game series, finished with 244 for three on the opening day, with David Warner making 103 and captain Steve Smith finishing 65 not out.
