For so long an X-factor of Australian cricket, Mitchell Starc will be out to create a fear factor when the first Test against New Zealand starts on Thursday in Brisbane.
It's been two years since Mitchell Johnson's frightening display at the Gabba against England, when he terrorised batsmen and elicited false strokes aplenty.
Starc is bowling at similar speeds but his greatest strength is an unplayable yorker that dips late rather than an unpleasant bouncer that rears late.
Yet Brendon McCullum knows there is no point talking down Starc's outstanding recent form and capacity to create collapses.
"He's probably one of the most-feared bowlers around," McCullum admitted.
"I wouldn't say that (there will be a sense of trepidation) - probably an element of excitement. We like to be able to test ourselves against the best players in the world."
Negotiating Australia's pace attack of Starc, Johnson and Josh Hazlewood will be crucial to the Black Caps' hopes of posting their second Test series win in Australia.
The trio are the clear strength of a team in transition, with Steve Smith captaining Australia for the first time in a full-time capacity.
Smith, having watched NSW teammate Starc dominate domestic cricket last month, hoped there would be some fear in the minds of NZ's batsmen.
"If you have got that sort of mental edge on them, you're going to win a lot of battles," Smith said.
"It's certainly been hard work facing him in the nets."
Starc made his Test debut four years ago against McCullum in Brisbane.
The left-armer, dropped from the Test side 11 times since, has developed immensely.
"He's a completely different bowler," McCullum said, having been skittled at the MCG by an outstanding delivery that set the tone for the World Cup final.
"You're not always going to be successful and sometimes you can be made to look silly as well, a la the World Cup final."
Smith was banking on NZ trying to go after Starc and Johnson, McCullum's men having played that way in a success-laden stretch dating back to the start of 2014.
"A lot of them are going to come out and play their shots, which will play into our hands nicely," Smith quipped.
The tourists of course boast Trent Boult and Tim Southee, swing specialists who wouldn't mind being asked to bowl first on a typical Gabba pitch.
"The more they bowl, the easier it will get for us," Smith said.
"But they're good bowlers and we're going to have to respect them up front."
Richard Hadlee, speaking 30 years after guiding NZ to their only Test series win in Australia, ranked it as the nation's best attack.
"Australia do have a slight advantage, particularly in their bowling," Hadlee added, when asked which side were favourites.
Hadlee suggested McCullum would put recalled batsmen Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns under immense pressure in Brisbane.
Smith was confident the new-look top order would thrive.
"They have been batting beautifully, they have played some very good cricket out here in the past and know conditions well," he said.
Australian XI: David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (capt), Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling, Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
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