Speedster Starc struck by sore heel

Australia have been dealt an injury scare with Cricket Australia confirming pace ace Mitchell Starc has a bruised heel.

A CA spokesperson confirmed Starc will bowl on day five at the WACA Ground as Australia seek the six England wickets they require to win the Test and regain the Magellan Ashes.

The 27-year-old is set to be assessed after the match and reserve quick Jackson Bird will stay with the squad instead of being released to play with the Sydney Sixers in the KFC Big Bash League opener tomorrow night.

"Not too bad, a bit sore," Australia coach Darren Lehmann told WWOS when asked about Starc’s injury. "We’ll just have to wait for the end of the game and assess him.

"I thought he bowled unbelievable well last night, got the ball reversing to get that wicket of Vince, so we’ll see how he goes."

Starc produced the "ball of the Ashes" yesterday, according to Test legend Shane Warne. 

Starc, bowling from around the wicket from the Prindiville Stand End, fired down a 143.9kph thunderbolt that jagged off a snaking crack like a leg-break and cannoned into James Vince’s off stump.

The left-armer is the leading wicket-taker in the Ashes with 19 wickets.

"He’s a freak," Johnson told cricket.com.au. "I love watching him bowl.

"He backs his skills. That fierce yorker he bowls is unplayable and for (him) to come out and say he’s a five or six out of 10 that’s pretty incredible.

"I feel like he can definitely get better too.

"I’m starting to enjoy this combination (with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins) as well.

"There’s definitely that potential there.

"But he’s the leader of the attack and I just love watching how he flows in."

Starc was sent home midway through the Qantas Tour of India after scans revealed a stress fracture in his right foot.

He made a return to cricket three months later in the ICC Champions Trophy but has since conceded he came back too soon as the injury had not properly healed.

He was then put on ice for the two-Test tour of Bangladesh before making a steady return for NSW Blues in the JLT One-Day Cup and then the JLT Sheffield Shield, where he captured two hat-tricks in the dramatic win over Western Australia at Hurstville Oval.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21