Spinner Nathan Lyon recalls heroic efforts of Ryan Harris in 2014 as Australia prepare for third Test against South Africa

MITCHELL Starc has been urged to call upon the lion-hearted spirit of Ryan Harris as he fights to push his body through to the finish line of an arduous summer.

Australian paceman Mitchell Starc has taken on a massive workload this summer and is battling a sore calf.

MITCHELL Starc has been urged to call upon the lion-hearted spirit of Ryan Harris as he fights to push his body through to the finish line of an arduous summer.

The Australian spearhead was unable to bowl at training on Monday due to a sore calf but cartel comrade Nathan Lyon has declared Starc is in no doubt for the third Test starting on Thursday in Cape Town.

Starc steamed in at training on Tuesday night under the watchful eye of National Selector Trevor Hohns and showed no hint of trouble. Mitchell Marsh, the all-rounder who twinged his calf in the second Test, also bowled strongly and looks set to play.

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Harris bowled Australia to a famous last-gasp series victory in the fading light in Cape Town despite being virtually on one knee and in extreme agony when captain Michael Clarke asked him for one more over.

Australian paceman Mitchell Starc has taken on a massive workload this summer and is battling a sore calf.

Starc’s issues don’t appear to be anywhere near as serious, but like Harris did in 2014, this Australian attack is on its last legs after a mammoth Ashes summer and a taxing few weeks in South Africa.

Lyon said Harris’ feats on that day remain a driving force in the current dressing room and backed Starc and company to lift for the blockbuster two Tests that will decide the series.

“With Ryan Harris basically bowling with one leg and bowling Morne (Morkel) with about two overs to go was exceptional,” said Lyon.

“They are the type of moments that you sit here and look back on in your career and weigh them up as some of the best games you’ve been a part of.

“To see Ryno do that … they’re the ones you want to play. They’re the ones you do pre-season for – where you win on the last day, in the last hour.

“It’s obviously coming to the end of a massive summer for us and for the bowling squad to have played the majority of the games has been exceptional.

“I know the boys are up for these two Test matches, but they’re also looking forward to a break.

Ryan Harris celebrates taking the wicket of Morne Morkel to win the third Test against South Africa in 2014.

“We know how hard we are going to have to work … but it’s pretty exciting.”

Starc was due to bowl at training on Tuesday night, but the fact he played a round of golf on Monday helped allay fears he is in serious doubt.

However, there must be some concern about the left-armer getting through both Cape Town and Johannesburg, given he was still sore five days after the second Test had wrapped up.

Starc missed the Boxing Day Test this summer with a heel issue.

He is arguably Australia’s most valuable man.

“He’s fine. He’s on the golf course I think. He’s perfectly fine,” said Lyon.

“I’ve got no worries about him pulling up OK. I’m sure he’ll have a good bowl and he’ll be right come Thursday.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon (right) celebrates claiming the wicket of South Africa’s Dean Elgar in the second Test.

“He’s an unbelievable player, he’s a massive player for us, so it’s exciting to have him here and firing.

“… With the bowling group we’ve got at the moment we all want to see each other do well. We’re all good mates and it just helps the vibe out in the middle when you do have to dig deep and work together in partnerships.”

Lyon was also part of another historic Test match at Newlands – but for very different reasons – when Australia was bowled out for 47 in a devastating loss in 2011 inside two and a half days.

On a terrifyingly green pitch, Vernon Philander destroyed Australia to the point that No.11 batsman Lyon top scored with 14.

It serves as a timely reminder about the powers of Philander, who has taken 47 wickets at an average of 16 in eight Test matches at his home ground.

Australia are looking to bounce back from defeat in the second Test.

“You’ve got to be pretty good to top score for your country,” Lyon joked.

“I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum, obviously when you get bowled out for 47 it is not the best feeling, but we came back a couple of years later to win the way we did was exceptional.

“It happened pretty quick to be honest, I think I walked out to bat when we were 9-21 in the 11th over, I’m not usually padded up in the 11th over.

“Some days you have your day out and big Vernon Philander did that day.”