Mitchell Starc dismissed suggestions he has overtaken Mitchell Johnson and become Australia’s spearhead.
Starc put on a swing bowling clinic in Auckland on Saturday, claiming figures of 6-28 to put his side within reach of victory after a woeful batting collapse.
The paceman was twice on a hat-trick, clean bowling Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Adam Milne and Tim Southee with brilliant deliveries.
In sharp contrast, Johnson finished with figures of 0-68 from six overs after copping some brutal treatment from Brendon McCullum.
Starc, who has been in incredible form since the end of the Test series against India, noted his fellow left-armer was very much the leader of the attack.
The 25-year-old revealed he sought Johnson’s counsel when Australia needed one more wicket to win the World Cup game.
“I went to him for those last two balls as well, because he’s been a great leader for a long time,” Starc said.
“He’s been in outstanding form for nearly two years now.
“He’s definitely our leader and the three or four young blokes in this World Cup squad are learning off him.
“He’s the bloke that we go to. Mitchy’s definitely that spearhead and we’re just happy to back him up.”
Kane Williamson, who smacked a six to bring up the winning runs as New Zealand nervously hauled in Australia’s total of 151, scoffed at the idea his team had worked Johnson out.
“No, he’s world class,” Williamson said.
“Brendon’s style of batting when he gets going, as we’ve seen recently, he can get away on some bowlers.
“Brendon batted really well, but he (Johnson) was very tough with each ball and sometimes with small boundaries the extra pace can fly a little bit.”
Starc was confident he would have the white ball hooping at the WACA if picked for Wednesday’s clash with Afghanistan.
“I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again,” Starc said.
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