Starc off for scans on leg injury after Gabba Test pain

Mitchell Starc will undergo scans on his hamstring in the hope that a tough end to the India Test series doesn't go from bad to worse.

While the majority of Australia's Test players flew to Melbourne on Wednesday to link up with their KFC BBL clubs, Starc returned to Sydney for scans.

The left-armer looked troubled at times in India's incredible fourth innings chase of 328 on Monday and Tuesday, that sealed the most unlikely 2-1 series win.

The rest of Australia's squad has been given a clean bill of health, with only Will Pucovski still recovering from his shoulder injury.

Australia have around a month until their next international cricket with a Test series in South Africa, but that tour remains clouded by COVID-19 issues.

The fallout from the Gabba Test loss came as Australia's captain Tim Paine said he still had faith in Starc after the fast bowler was clearly targeted in the chase.

Pat Cummins (4-55) was the pick of Australia's attack in a gutsy 24-over effort as he finished with player-of-the-series honours, while Josh Hazlewood (1-74) ended the four-match series with 17 wickets at 19.35.

Starc (11 wickets at 40.72) and Nathan Lyon (nine at 55.11) were less effective, while Cameron Green was used occasionally – bowling just three overs on day five in Brisbane – as he went wicketless in his debut series.

Starc in particular was used sparingly as the game tightened in Brisbane on Tuesday, not handed the second new ball after being taken for 20 in a pivotal over that helped swing the match.

But Paine threw his support behind the fast bowler, whom he said was possibly carrying niggles but like his counterparts was "ready to go" at the Gabba.

"Starcy is someone who, the way he bowls, he is going to come in for some criticism," Paine said.

"When he's on he is one of the great bowlers you'll see, and at times he doesn't quite get it right and when that's the case it doesn't look great.

"But again Mitchell Starc has done an amazing job for our Test team over a long period of time and he will continue to do so."

With uncapped squad members Michael Neser and Sean Abbott waiting in the wings, coach Justin Langer said he'd have no hesitation in selecting the same men if he had his time again.

"Maybe (I asked too much), but I'm proud of the fact those four stood up for the whole series," he told ABC Sport.

"You would have been a brave man coming into the Gabba Test and not selecting those four bowlers ... I would've done the same thing.

"Tell me who you would've picked when the series was on the line ... I would have picked them every single day."

Vodafone Test Series v India 2020-21

First Test: Australia won by eight wickets

Second Test: India won by eight wickets

Third Test: Test drawn

Fourth Test: India won by three wickets