Starc returns to action in Sydney

Mitchell Starc's return to top-level cricket took another positive step yesterday as the spearhead dusted off the cobwebs in NSW's intra-squad one-day match in Blacktown.

Starc bowled six overs and returned figures of 0-38 as his preparation intensifies for the Pakistan series in the UAE, should he be selected.

The left-armer is on the comeback trail after suffering a bone stress reaction in his right leg that ruled him out of the fourth Test in South Africa, the Indian Premier League and Australia's Qantas tour of England.

The match at Blacktown was Starc's first since the infamous Cape Town Test and the 28-year-old used it to tinker with a few things.

"It's only about the fourth bowl I've had to batsmen, so it's a bit different out in the middle than in the nets," Starc said on Tuesday.

"(I'm) trying to make a few changes to the action and the run-up, trying to find some rhythm through there and have a nice hit out out in the middle with the Blues boys."

Starc is set to play one more trial match for NSW before the Blues travel north to Brisbane for a pre-season camp, which includes matches against Queensland and the National Performance Squad.

While Starc prepares for the Pakistan series – which is set to be played in October – with a white ball, a host of Test aspirants will be in India with Australia A competing in two four-day matches.

Mitchell Marsh is captain of the 'A' squad and leads a batting unit stacked with international experience, while the bowling stocks are full of uncapped fast bowlers and a mix of spinners.

The Test squad for the two Tests against Pakistan is expected to named at the conclusion of the 'A' series and Starc says the tour preparation is on track.

"There's an Australia A tour over there where the guys are getting some time in the subcontinent," he said.

"The guys in Australia are spending some time, like us, out in the middle today (Tuesday).

"The prep is going really well for everyone looking to put their hand up for that tour."