Cricket: Marsh backs Starc to fire at WACA

Mitchell Starc. Photo: Reuters
Mitchell Starc. Photo: Reuters

Mitch Marsh is still trying to work out how to face Mitchell Starc, suggesting there's little New Zealand can do if the left-armer gets it right in the second Test.

Big things are expected of Starc this summer, when the world's best one-day bowler seeks to finally translate that form consistently to Test cricket.

Starc's first Test against New Zealand was a mixed bag.

He finished the game by dismissing Trent Boult, but copped a fine of $A7725 for throwing the ball in the direction of tailender Mark Craig during NZ's final-wicket stand.

He was Australia's leading wicket-taker for the match with six, but struggled to control the new ball.

Yet there were two trademark in-swinging yorkers that netted wickets, Tom Latham trapped lbw in the second innings and James Neesham's stumps rearranged in the first dig.

"The scary thing is he's 25 and he's still probably got a lot of improvement to go. That's really exciting for Australian cricket," Marsh said.

"I cop it in the nets most days and I still haven't combated it.

"So for blokes that don't get to face him all that often, and don't get to face blokes that bowl 150km/h and swing it, there's not really much you can do to prevent that.

"That's why he's such a world-class bowler now."

Starc has played two Tests at the WACA, grabbing 12 wickets at an average of 23.25.

The squad trains at the Perth venue for the first time on Wednesday, but Marsh suggests the left-armer will already be licking his lips.

"All our quicks are champing at the bit again," the West Australian allrounder said.

"To go from the Gabba to the WACA is something unique in the world - you don't really get to play on two bouncy wickets [in a row].

"All the bowlers are very excited."

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