Aussie quicks don't need extra help: Starc

[Nergal]

 

Mitchell Starc has declared Australia's gang of four primed to back up in the Boxing Day Test as selectors weigh up whether to recall allrounder Mitch Marsh.

Deciding whether to add Marsh in place of the struggling Peter Handscomb looms as the biggest challenge facing Trevor Hohns, Greg Chappell and Justin Langer following Australia's series-levelling victory over India in Perth.

Handscomb's struggles with the bat in Adelaide and Perth renewed debate about whether his technique can stand up in Test cricket, while Marsh's part-time pace bowling could be helpful at the typically batsman-friendly MCG.

Whether it's needed is another question.

Nathan Lyon's man-of-the-match performance in Perth ensured Australia were able to rotate through Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who were carefully managed before the series, without the quicks burning through overs.

Starc says the NSW quartet have taken pride in assuming leadership roles within an Australian side containing several fresh faces.

"Whether we go with five bowlers or four ... you've got Nathan Lyon there doing as well as he has done for a long time," Starc told reporters.

"It makes our job a lot easier because he'll bowl a lot of overs and he'll either not go for runs or he'll keep taking wickets so for the other three of us to come on at the other end - if it's just four of us - it's something we've done for a while now.

"We've done it for NSW, done it over the years as a group of four.