Cricket World Cup 2015: Mitchell Johnson anoints Mitchell Starc as his pace heir apparent

MITCHELL Starc lost an alarming three kilograms in body weight the last time he visited the Gabbatoir.Not to mention a truckload in confidence.

AUS v ENG World Cup Cricket Mitchell Starc bowls Stuart Broad for a duck Picture :Wayne Ludbey

MITCHELL Starc lost an alarming three kilograms in body weight the last time he visited the Gabbatoir.

Not to mention a truckload in confidence.

Slammed by Shane Warne as “soft” and smashed in equal parts by India’s batsmen and the oppressive Brisbane sun, Starc looked anything but the next leader of the Australian attack after day one of his first Test appearance for the summer.

Yet as he prepares for his Gabba return in Saturday’s World Cup clash against Bangladesh, the much maligned left-armer has been anointed by the fast bowling king himself Mitchell Johnson, as his ultimate heir to the throne.

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Of course Johnson had to go to hell and back with his up-and-down career before he assumed only last summer the crown as the world’s most feared pace man.

And if Starc is to reach the heights Johnson believes he can, it seems his Gabba nightmare during the second Test will mark the turning point from ‘soft’ serve to spearhead.

“I haven’t been surprised,” said Johnson.

Mitchell Starc has been anointed by the fast bowling king himself Mitchell Johnson, as his ultimate heir to the throne.

“He has struggled a little bit in Test match cricket, and from what I’ve seen that’s probably from not being able to do back-to-back performances.

“But his one-day form has been outstanding throughout his whole career so far.

“He’s got everything it takes to be a spearhead.

“He’s doing all the right things at the moment.

“I’m sure if he keeps continuing the way he is, he’ll be a champion.”

There are signs Starc has already usurped Johnson as Australia’s World Cup spearhead.

He has opened the bowling and relegated Johnson to first-change in both the one-day tri-series final and the World Cup opener.

Up front against England, Starc broke the 150km/h barrier and opened the floodgates with the first wicket.

His imposing record of 63 wickets in 34 matches at a measly average of 21.34 makes Starc arguably the most dangerous bowler in this World Cup.

However, the challenge still ahead of Starc is to replicate this dominance at Test level.

Johnson is 33 years of age and has hinted recently that he’s uncertain of his future.

With this World Cup and an Ashes tour on the horizon, there are no guarantees Johnson will continue on — at least in all three formats — for too much longer.

Australia is blessed with an array of talent coming through the ranks, led by Pat Cummins and James Pattinson.

But the point-of-difference Johnson’s lethal left-arm has given Australia suggests Starc’s ability to bowl 150km/h and swing the ball makes him the key man in the attack of the future.

Starc’s Test record after 15 matches doesn’t stand out, aside from the fact he’s barely played two games back-to-back.

But his performance in the fourth Test against India in Sydney, when Johnson was sidelined with injury, showcased what he might be made of.

Expected to simply be another Johnson, Starc has at times struggled in the shadow of the 283-Test wicket-taker.

But with Johnson not there, Starc felt free to be his own man and claimed five tough wickets on a completely lifeless SCG wicket.

Following his public war of words with Warne, Starc didn’t seek advice from anyone.

Mitchell Starc took a great outfield catch to remove Ian Bell at the MCG last Saturday.

Rather he tried to relax in the less intense atmosphere of the Sydney Sixers dressing room, and rediscovered his groove with a scintillating Big Bash performance into an ODI campaign where he was crowned man of the series.

“He’s just going out there and enjoying himself,” said Johnson.

“Bowling fast, swinging the ball and that’s what it’s all about.

“He’s learning every day. The more cricket he plays the more he learns so it’s good to have some senior guys around to help him out.”

FROM MR SOFTY TO SPEARHEAD

*0-83 from 17 overs in first innings against India in Brisbane.

*Labelled as “soft” for his unconvincing body language by Shane Warne.

*Lost 3kg in body weight due to oppressive Brisban heat

*Dropped for Boxing Day Test, marking a dozen times he’s failed to play consecutive Tests

*Returned to Sydney Sixers where he averaged 19 with the ball

*Replaced Johnson in fourth Test and finished Australia’s best bowler with five wickets on a lifeless pitch

*Took 12 wickets at 16 in the one-day tri-series where he was crowned man-of-the-series

*Replaced Johnson as Australia’s opener for the World Cup