Starc happy to push through pain

Mitchell Starc has shrugged off any romanticism about his decision to postpone surgery and push through the pain of an ankle injury this summer, saying managing his body is part of a fast-bowler's lot in the game.

It was revealed last month that Starc had been managing bone spurs in his right ankle for some time, with the 25-year-old needing a series of cortisone injections to numb the pain.

The injury will ultimately require an operation that would potentially force him out of the game for up to five months.

But CA physiotherapist Alex Kountouris has said it was the opinion of specialists that surgery was not yet required, labelling the measure a "last resort".

With Australia scheduled to play eights Tests this summer ahead of the World T20 in March and April next year, it was decided that Starc would postpone surgery, manage the pain associated with the injury and continue playing.

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While the injury still causes some discomfort, Starc said it was nothing more than what a fast-bowler expected.

"Fast bowlers go through a lot of pain," he said.

"I'm not the first one and I won't be the last so as far as I'm concerned, I'm bowling.

"I don't think rest is going to do anything, so I'd like to be available for all the games of this summer.

"We will keep managing it through the summer and if anything changes with how it's going pain-wise and if it's affecting my cricket, then we will look at that option (surgery).

"I don't want to miss the summer through surgery.

"At the moment it's not affecting my cricket so it's all guns blazing trying to push forward through the Matador Cup and looking for a strong summer and hopefully a bit of Australian selection."

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The most recent of Starc's cortisone injections came midway through the one-day international leg of Australia's tour of England, forcing him to sit out the fourth match of that series.

The effectiveness of the injection was on full display just days later when he impressed with 1-44 in Australia's series-clinching victory at Old Trafford.

The left-armer has become accustomed to battling the injury, having played in 26 of Australia's 27 matches across all formats this year and taken just seven weeks off in the past 18 months.

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That workload is far superior those of fellow fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson (18 matches in 2015) and Josh Hazlewood (16), who were both rested from the ODI series in England.

And while Australia's postponed tour of Bangladesh means Starc and his fellow quicks will head into the first Test of summer against New Zealand having not played red-ball cricket for more than two months, he said three weeks of white-ball action in the Matador Cup wouldn’t hurt his preparations.

"As far as I know I've bowled more than all the fast bowlers in the world in the last nine months," he said. "So there's no issue there with the number of balls bowled.

"We've got this Matador Cup and plenty more cricket to come.

"Body wise I'll be doing everything I can, as I have over the past 18 months, to get my body right and continue to manage the little niggles along the way.

"I'll be ready to go if selected for that first Test."

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While Starc has the option to manage his injury and continue playing this season, the same unfortunately can't be said for his state and national teammate Pat Cummins.

Cummins was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back two weeks ago, a condition that will see him miss the majority of the Australian summer.

The speedster has been crippled by the injury twice before; he missed the entire 2012-13 summer and also the first half of the 2013-14 season due to a back stress fracture.

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This latest injury was a cruel blow for the 22-year-old, who was nearing his best form during the ODI series against England and appeared poised to add to his lone Test cap, which came way back in November 2011.

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Starc said Cummins's experience of dealing with long-term injury meant he had the mental fortitude to push through another lengthy rehabilitation process.

"I think the fact that he's had to go through it before makes him stronger," Starc said.

"He's mentally tough. Knowing him for a few years, he's a great character around the group whether he's on the park or not. He brings plenty to the group.

"He works really hard off the park. The things you don't see out on the field or the training paddock (is when) he's in the gym by himself and doing what he needs to get himself right.

"I'm sure he'll come back bigger and stronger and back to the Australian set up."