Mitchell Starc wants maximum time in middle for NSW ahead of Test summer

Mitchell Starc will play as much Sheffield Shield as he can before the first Test against Pakistan as he fights to reclaim his Australian spot.

Starc insists national selection is not on his mind headed into NSW's opening game against Queensland but he wants as much time in the middle as possible after playing just one Ashes Test.

"I've had plenty of time in the nets in the past five months, so I am trying to get out in the middle as much as I can," he said on Tuesday.