Nevill backs Mitch Marsh to step up

Peter Nevill is backing Mitch Marsh to step up with the ball when Australia seeks to roll New Zealand without spearhead Mitchell Starc.

Scans revealed Starc was suffering from stress fractures to the third metatarsal bone in his right foot on day one of the inaugural day-night Test.

The left-armer won't bowl again in the match and his summer of cricket is in doubt.

Nevill noted his side would need to deliver with the bat at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

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But the keeper was confident they had enough bowling talent to take 10 wickets without Starc.

"It does make it more difficult losing Mitchell Starc - the spearhead of your attack," Nevill told ABC radio on the morning of day two.

"But the great thing is the balance of our side.

"We've got Mitch Marsh who was probably looking for more overs anyway, so I think he'll get what he wished for."

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Nevill noted it was cruel timing for the the left-armer, who became the leader of Australia's attack after Mitchell Johnson's retirement in the second Test.

"He did so well yesterday and bowled through a lot of pain to get us three wickets," he said.

"It's obviously very unfortunate for him.

"He'll be very disappointed."

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Starc has been dealing with an ongoing ankle issue this year and needed pain-killing injections to play all five Ashes Tests.

The 25-year-old has often looked in discomfort at the crease but it's hardly impacted his form.

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The express paceman was crowned the World Cup player of the tournament in March after taking 22 wickets in Australia's successful campaign.

Starc was the pick of Australia's bowlers in the first and second Commonwealth Bank Tests against New Zealand, played on docile decks in Brisbane and Perth.

Fellow quick James Pattinson, named 12th man in Adelaide, is favoured as Starc's replacement for the first Test against the West Indies.

Australia's three-Test series against the West Indies starts on December 10 in Hobart.