Yorkshire are still waiting on a decision from Cricket Australia over Mitchell Starc’s availability.

The left-arm fast bowler, currently enjoying an impressive run in the Friends Life t20, has been selected for his country’s three-week ‘A’ tour of England, beginning with a friendly against Derbyshire on July 27.

It is unclear whether he has to take part in a training camp beforehand, while Tykes skipper Andrew Gale recently admitted that the best case scenario would see the player released to play county cricket while the tour was ongoing if he was not selected in any of their matches.

Yorkshire have five more Twenty20s before the tour, starting with tonight’s televised match against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

Then there are two County Championship matches against Hampshire and Derbyshire, a 40-over clash with the latter and a potential 20-over quarter-final before Australia ‘A’s first fixture.

With Starc not in Australia’s Twenty20 plans at present, he could also feasibly finish off the summer back at Headingley, which could include an appearance at Finals Day.

But first-team coach Jason Gillespie has admitted: “We’re still talking to Cricket Australia.

“We’ll await final confirmation, but it doesn’t look like we’ll have him much after the t20s at this stage.”

Starc, recently awarded a central contract by his country, is the FLt20’s leading wicket-taker with eleven from five matches, including two three wicket-hauls. He has bowled well both up front with the new ball and at the death.

“I think this is a really important stage in his career,” said Gillespie.

“For him to make the decision – he bypassed the IPL – to come and play some county cricket is all credit to the lad. It shows how much emphasis he is placing on developing his career.

“The way he goes about his work is absolutely fantastic. He’s been an absolute pleasure to have in the dressing room. His team-mates love him.

“Every training session he’s had, every match he’s played, he’s given his all for Yorkshire. That’s all you can ask.”

Captain Andrew Gale has been named in a 14-man squad for tonight’s match, but is still a doubt with his hip injury.

Off-spinner Azeem Rafiq is on standby to lead the side for the third time.

Leicestershire, who sit bottom of the group, have won one and lost four of their five matches.

Yorkshire comfortably beat the Foxes at Headingley earlier this month, and another win would leave them sniffing a quarter-final place.

Gillespie added: “We’re not taking them lightly. They play very well at home, so we’re going to have to lift our game.

“It is far too early to start talking about quarter-finals and things like that because we’re only halfway through.

“But what we can control is our attitude and our desire to play some good cricket.

“If our attitude is how it has been for the first half of the tournament, we will give ourselves the best chance of winning games.”