Mitchell Johnson has backed his namesake to replicate the potent mix of express pace, bounce and hostility that led to England spectacularly unravelling four years ago.
Johnson snared 37 wickets while leading Australia to a 5-0 victory in 2013-14, the most-recent Ashes series on Australian soil.
Mitchell Starc, who will ramp up his return from a foot injury during a day-night Sheffield Shield clash from Friday at Adelaide Oval, has already vowed to pepper England with a bouncer barrage.
"Starcy is pretty keen on it. From a few text messages he's (sent, he is) definitely keen," Johnson told reporters in Perth.
"We know Starcy can bowl fast, deadly bouncers. Pat Cummins will bowl fast, deadly bouncers.
"They've got all their change-ups as well. Starc can bowl an amazing yorker."
Starc, Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith and David Warner will feature in a star-studded NSW side who face South Australia in somewhat of a dress rehearsal for the inaugural Ashes day-night Test at the same venue.
Warner suggested Starc could terrorise England's batsmen throughout the five-Test series that starts on November 23 in Brisbane, especially with the pink ball at Adelaide Oval.
"I get the luxury of facing him every single net session with the new ball. It's quite difficult when he's swinging the ball," Warner said on Tuesday.
"When he gets that right in Adelaide, come the second Test, he's going to be a nightmare for their players."
Australia have sorely missed Starc since the spearhead's injury breakdown in March during the Test tour of India. The left-armer has generally been Smith's go-to man whenever the skipper is hunting a breakthrough.
That is set to be the case during next month's Ashes opener at the Gabba, although Smith is confident Cummins can also create some Johnson-like headaches.
"The Gabba has been a bit of a fortress for Australian cricket for a long period of time. Last Ashes series we played out here, we really set the tone in that first Test," Smith told reporters at the launch of his biography 'The Journey'.
"Hopefully, a couple of our quicks can replicate some of what Mitchell (Johnson) did back then."
Smith, also on the comeback from a minor shoulder injury, faced Starc last Saturday during a centre-wicket practice.
"He was swinging the ball which is fantastic. Left-armers who bowl at good pace and swing the ball are a great weapon," he said.
Johnson, Warner and Smith all spoke at length about the importance of the opening three Shield rounds that will shape who claims two spots up for grabs in the Test XI.
"I certainly have my eye out," Smith said.
"Knowing there might be a few positions up for grabs, it puts a little bit of pressure on. We like seeing guys perform under pressure."
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