Injured Mitchell Starc raring to go against Proteas on boucy Perth track

Australia would like to bring their extended losing run against the South Africans to an end when they take on Proteas in the first Test match at Perth on Thursday.

Aussie left arm wounded strike bowler Mitchell Starc would love to bowl in pace friendly conditions back home as the home side looks to halt a wretched run as their three-Test series against South Africa starts on Thursday.

Starc will wear a knee pad to protect deep cuts on his left leg and his condition will be closely monitored bymedical staff after he collided with training equipment inSeptember, needing 30 stitches.

He has been rushed back into action after Australia wererouted 3-0 in Sri Lanka in July-August to lose their top Testranking, and were then hammered 5-0 in a one-day series in South Africa to complete a miserable few months on the road.

While the Proteas are missing their influential skipperAB de Villiers with an elbow injury, they have won their lasttwo Test series in Australia, putting the hosts under addedpressure ahead of the series opener in Perth.

Much will depend on the potency of left-arm spearhead Starc and improved resolution from their under-fire batsmen toturn the tables, starting with the Test series against South Africa followed by a further three Tests against rejuvenated Pakistan.     

Starc, who has taken 115 wickets at 27.36 in his 28 Tests, said he was ready to lead Australia's attack eventhough he is still recovering from his accident and needs tore-dress the wound every day.     

"It's not bleeding, it's healing nicely," said Starc, whose knee pad will allow him to slide and dive whilefielding.     

Starc sat out the one-day humiliation in South Africaearlier this month and along with fellow new-ball partner JoshHazlewood offers Australia a strong bowling attack.

"We'll all be trying to crank it up. I'll be trying to bowl as fast as I can," Starc said. "Just because they've got Dale Steyn ... and Kagiso Rabada bowling fast doesn't mean we haven't got anyone to match that."     

Australia's batsmen will also have to step up after struggling on spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka, with much focus on skipper Smith, opener David Warner and prolific middle-order batsman Adam Voges.