Aussie quicks all spearheads: Starc

Mitchell Starc says he, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood are all Australia's spearhead at different times.

Australian bowler Mitchell Starc reacts in Perth

Bowler Mitchell Starc says he's happy to share the mantle of Australia's spearhead. (AAP)

Mitchell Starc is happy to share the mantle of Australia's spearhead, saying no one member of the side's pace attack deserves the title.

Starc unleashed an incredible spell of express pace on day three of the second Test at the WACA, with one delivery clocked at 160.4km/h.

The left-armer also created two chances and broke New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum's bat during the salvo.

In sharp contrast, Mitchell Johnson finished with figures of 1-131 from 24 overs and struggled to tie down centurions Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.

"We all are (the spearhead) at different times," Starc said, when asked if it was a passing of the pace baton.

"We have three guys who can open the bowling on any given day.

"Three guys who can spearhead the attack on different occasions and on different grounds."

New Zealand will resume at 6-510 on day four, looking to erode Australia's 49-run lead and move the game on.

Williamson and Taylor shared a 265-run stand on Sunday, setting a new mark for the country's highest partnership against Australia.

However, Starc felt the hosts used the new balls a lot better in Perth than they had in Brisbane.

Captain Steve Smith and coach Darren Lehmann were both critical of the quicks for not making New Zealand's openers play enough at the Gabba, where Australia cruised to a 208-run win in the first Test.

"We didn't get the amount of wickets we wanted with the new ball, but we made them play a lot more with the new ball," Starc said.

"They batted really well. Take nothing away from them, they're class players.

"The wicket's really good to bat on, so I think both sides have found it quite hard to contain the batting team.

"At different points of the game we've built pressure really well and then haven't taken that chance, or that chance hasn't come."

Starc noted his side would need to work hard to clean up New Zealand's tail on Monday morning.

Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan suggested all three results were possible, but it was important his side didn't look that far ahead.

"We've had to do a lot of work to get close to parity after day one," McMillan said.

"The last two days have been all about that.

"We're still behind ... it's important we eke out as many runs as we can and the game will develop from there."


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Source: AAP



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