An inspired spell of fast bowling from Mitchell Starc at the SCG on Wednesday converted Shane Warne into the newest member of the tall left-armer’s fan club.
After Australia declared at 7-572 shortly after tea on day two of the fourth Test against India, Starc struck in the very first over for the home side.
Coming into the Australian side for the final Test of the series for fellow southpaw Mitchell Johnson, who was forced to withdraw with hamstring trouble, Starc had the in-form Murali Vijay caught behind for a duck with just the third ball of the innings.
Starc ruffled India’s feathers early on in their first innings, which ended at 1-71 at stumps, and late in the day as he pressed for a second breakthrough.
Warne criticised Starc’s body language as “soft” during his disappointing effort in the second Test in Brisbane.
But the legspinning great was lavish in his praise of Starc’s effort at the SCG, as the 24-year-old finished with 1-17 from a fiery six overs as he regularly clocked 150km/h.
“He’s pumped up, he is steaming in, he is bowling quick and hitting the right areas,” Warne said on Channel Nine’s coverage.
“He started beautifully, his energy was great, he really set the tone and his body language was strong.”
So pumped up was Starc that David Warner’s pre-Test pleas for an end to send-offs were ignored by the big quick, as he sent Vijay on his way.
“I’ve gone back to what I know best which is trying to bowl fast,” Starc told Nine at stumps.
“It’s a rhythm thing and I’ve been feeling good in the Big Bash games and in the nets leading up to the Test.”
Stand-in Australian captain Steve Smith said he didn’t witness Starc’s colourful send-off of Vijay.
“The umpire never said anything. I don’t see any issue there at this stage,” Smith said.
“I think that’s the way Mitchell bowls his best, the way he bowled in the Big Bash – short spells and up to 150km/h – it’s never comfortable to face.
“Hopefully, he can come back and keep doing it in his other spells.
“We’re looking for that aggression from him again tomorrow.”
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