Australia paceman Mitchell Starc has been roasted for lacking fire by ex-quick Mitchell Johnson.
Starc was ineffective for Australia early on day four of the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval.
The fast bowling spearhead rarely hit top speed in his initial four-over spell on Sunday, which Johnson said lacked intent.
Mitchell Starc (left) did not impress Mitchell Johnson on Sunday morning.Credit:AAP
"I just don't like his body language," Johnson said in commentary for ABC radio.
"He hasn't given a bit of a glare or puffed his chest out with a good follow through, let the batsman know he's in the contest, that he's going to rip the pegs out."
Starc was spelled with respectable figures at the time of 1-25 from 14 overs but he failed to trouble India's batsmen.
Later, Starc took the second new ball but after two wayward overs was banished from the attack.
That spell cost nine runs but he was also responsible for eight extras with a leg-side wide going for four, and a repeat down the leg-side going for four byes when wicketkeeper Tim Paine was lucky to get fingertips to the ball.
"We are not seeing that same concerted zip," ex-Test batsman Simon Katich said of Starc while commentating for SEN.
Starc also struggled on Saturday when he didn't bowl for more than two hours but the Australian camp rejected any suggestions of an injury.
The left-armer took 2-63 from 19 overs in India's first innings and at the end of day one detailed tweaks to his bowling action in the wake of recent injuries.
"I have been trying a few different things … over the last little while that have worked for little periods," Starc said after Thursday's play.
AAP
Source: Read Full Article