A tweaked run-up has helped Mitchell Starc make a stellar start to the tri-series.
Starc continued his incredible one-day form on Sunday, snaring career-best figures of 6-43 from his 10 overs against India in Melbourne.
No other Australian has captured six wickets in a home one-day international (ODI).
The left-armer rocked England at the SCG on Friday, grabbing two wickets in the opening over of the ODI.
The 24-year-old also impressed in the fourth Test against India, returning to the XI after a modest showing at the Gabba in the second Test.
Starc suggested it was a case of sticking to a technique that national bowling coach Craig McDermott helped tinker with.
“The ball is coming out nicely,” Starc told the Nine Network.
“I’ve been working on a few things over the last couple of months with Craig.
“It (rhythm) is something I’ve been working on, that run-up speed and the angle.
“It’s nice to see some rewards.”
Starc dismissed centurion Rohit Sharma with a full toss on Sunday.
Far more impressive was Starc’s masterful ninth over, when he captured the scalps of MS Dhoni and Akshar Patel in a double-wicket maiden that curbed India’s momentum.
Starc had the new ball swinging at the MCG, Shikhar Dhawan out edging in the opening over.
“I love the white ball. It always goes one way or the other,” Starc said.
“It was nice to see the bowling unit do a good job to restrict them to 260-odd on a pretty good wicket.”
Much has been made of Shane Warne’s criticism of Starc’s body language in Brisbane.
Starc, who returned to form in the Big Bash League after an inconsistent Test outing at the Gabba, has regularly downplayed any impact Warne’s words had on him.
“One bad day at the office doesn’t mean it’s an issue,” Starc said in response to the latest Warne-related questions.
“It’s about coming back and doing what I do best, which is trying to get that ball to swing and taking wickets.”
BEST ODI BOWLING FIGURES IN AUSTRALIA:
*6-42, Ajit Agarkar at MCG in 2004
*6-43, Mitchell Starc at MCG in 2015
*6-45, Chris Woakes at Gabba in 2011
*5-15, Greg Chappell at SCG in 1981
*5-15, Ravi Shastri at WACA in 1991
BEST ODI BOWLING FIGURES BY AN AUSTRALIAN:
*7-15, Glenn McGrath at Potchefstroom in 2003
*7-20, Andy Bichel at Port Elizabeth in 2003
*6-14, Gary Gilmour at Leeds in 1975
*6-31, Mitchell Johnson at Pallekele in 2011
*6-39, Ken MacLeay at Nottingham in 1983
*6-43, Mitchell Starc at MCG in 2015.
