Mitchell Starc put Australia's struggling batsmen through their paces on Wednesday in a training session which revealed plenty about the concerns the hosts are taking into the second Test.
As captain Tim Paine watched from the dressing room, senior paceman Starc was part of a group undergoing centre-wicket practice at the WACA in a move at odds with the team's public statements over the left-arm quick.
Inconsistent: Mitchell Starc needs to find his range in both innings in Perth.Credit:AAP
The Australian camp has sung Starc's praises since his erratic display in Adelaide but their actions have suggested there are real worries over his form.
Paine banished Starc after only two overs with the second new ball on Sunday after the pace ace lost his radar in a brief spell which saw him drag two balls way down leg side that could almost have been called wides.
Advertisement
On Wednesday, he was the only member of Australia's big three pacemen to bowl in a week where revitalisation, rather than hard yards, has been the theme of training due to the short turnaround between Tests.
After a one-on-one chat with coach Justin Langer, Starc then had a lengthy session bowling to Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch, which was recorded by a camera at the bowler's end and another in a drone overhead.
"Yeah quick, he bowled pretty well," Marcus Harris said. "There was obviously a bit of talk about him after the game but I thought he bowled pretty well during the game and he's felt like he was in good rhythm out there before. I'm sure he's ready and raring to go for Friday."
Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have managed to retain the fast bowler's snarl without jeopardising the team's commitment to cleaning up their conduct but less so Starc, who has been criticised for his perceived poor body language.
The Australians missed Starc's aggression, particularly in the first innings when they skittled the top order but battled to clean up the tail.
At his best, Starc would be a handful on an Optus Stadium deck that has been tipped to be fast and bouncy like the WACA pitches of old.
Dropping Starc for this match would be a very bold move and another wayward display here, should he get the nod, would severely test the faith of selectors, who were due to meet on Wednesday after training to discuss their XI.
Should they recall all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, that would be another sign of their worries over Starc.
Perth boy Marcus Harris trains at the WACA ahead of the second Test in front of home crowd starting Friday.Credit:AAP
The Australians are adamant Paine, who was cracked on his troublesome index finger in the run chase, will play despite missing training. The official line is that he is keeping himself fresh.
Australia's major selection query in the batting is over Aaron Finch, who did little in the first Test to prove he is a viable option at the top of the order at home.
Dumping Finch would prompt a reshuffle of a batting order that many believe needs stability after the turmoil this year.
Australia are drawing encouragement from their gallant run chase when they gave India a bigger scare than many predicted. That, however, was due largely to the resistance shown by the lower order and tail.
"I think we took some good confidence from the fight we showed," Harris said. "I know when I looked at it as a batter I thought "bugger, I wish I could've got 60 or 70", so we got pretty close and the fight we showed hopefully we can take some momentum into the game on Friday. I think the wicket will suit us a little bit more with the conditions.
"We would've loved to win the game, but the boys bowled really well, the bowlers also batted really well, so it's probably on us batters to take a bit of the weight from them."
Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald
Most Viewed in Sport
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
