Fast-bowling coach says Mitchell Starc's spell on Sunday was the changing of the guard for Australia's quicks
The baton has been passed: McDermott
Fast-bowling coach Craig McDermott says the paceman's baton in the Australian team was effectively passed from Mitchell Johnson to Mitchell Starc on day three of this second Commonwealth Bank Test in Perth.
With Johnson this morning announcing his retirement from international cricket, McDermott singled out Starc's sizzling spell on Sunday - which included a delivery bowled at 160.4kph - as the moment the generational change in Australia's fast-bowling ranks was confirmed.
WATCH: Starc breaks McCullum's bat - and the speed gun
At the same time, Johnson was in the middle of the most expensive Test spell ever bowled by an Australian at the WACA, in which he finished with figures of 1-157 from 28 overs.
"If anything we saw the changing of the guard here two days ago, with Mitchell Starc bowling consistently 150-odd kilometres an hour," McDermott said.
"And for me sitting back and watching that, it was like the changing of the guard, and hopefully Mitchell Starc can have as an illustrious a career as Mitchell Johnson has."
McDermott's return as Australia's bowling coach coincided with Johnson's own stunning return to the side ahead of the 2013-14 Ashes, and the mentor was quick to praise his charge for his impact on world cricket throughout a decorated career.
WATCH: Johnson's thunderbolts in the 2013-14 Ashes
"I think his record speaks for itself; 300-odd wickets at (an average of) around 28, he is one of the best fast bowlers that’s played for this country and one of the fastest bowlers in the world, and he’s a great bloke as well," McDermott said.
"I think we saw (his popularity) through the 2013-14 Ashes (when) he brought Test cricket back to life in this country and around the world really.
"And (he) changed a lot of tactics of not only (how) the Australian team plays but some of the countries around the world who have got some decent quicks play the game as well. He gets people through the gate."
Johnson wound back the clock with an impressive spell in the first innings of the first Test in Brisbane, finishing with 3-105. But his inability to take a five-wicket haul in his past 15 Tests – since that golden period in 2013-14 – hinted that his most lethal was behind him.
WATCH: Johnson rips through Proteas in Centurion
"He wouldn’t be happy with the way he bowled in Brisbane and here (in Perth) as well," McDermott said.
"It’s obviously been on Mitchell's mind for a while and (the media) have been talking about it for a while.
"He's finally made a decision and he's happy with that so that's all that matters when you retire."
McDermott said Peter Siddle was a front-runner to come into the XI for the third Test in Adelaide, beginning November 27, but said others would also be considered.
"Obviously 'Sidds' is still in the 12 for these Tests so he comes back into contention, and he’s been bowling beautifully with good pace and swing in the ball," he said.
"You've got other younger guys, there's James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile who's back bowling again and I was involved with him here the other day and he bowled quite quick and with good swing with the ball.
"So we're going to Adelaide, we'll see what the selectors bring up for our final 12 there and we'll deal with that when it happens."