Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has said that he needs to replicate the aggression and mental strength of pace sensation Mitchell Johnson, who has replaced him, in order to battle his way back into the Test team.
Starc made an impressive international return for Australia's Twenty20 side on Friday and is hoping to get another run under his belt in the final match on Sunday in Sydney to further his case for inclusion in the World Twenty20 squad for March.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Starc, who was replaced by Johnson in the Ashes squad after suffering a back injury on the previous tour, views his replacement not as an obstacle to his chances of returning to five-day cricket, but an inspiration in his bid to cement himself at the highest level.
Stating that he is eager to replicate Johnson's aggression and mental strength in 2014, Starc, who has played 12 Tests, said that he intends to finish the work Johnson started back in November, by whitewashing England in the three-match Twenty20 series at ANZ Stadium on Sunday and send the team back home with their 'tail between their legs'.
According to Starc, he is however, currently focusing on white ball and white-ball skills with an aim to push for selection for the World T20 in Bangladesh, adding that Test selection is not in his mind now as there are no Tests for Australia after South Africa until October.