Johnson warns against all pace

While the prospect of Australia playing four genuine fast bowlers against South Africa on Sunday excites Mitchell Johnson, the former Test tearaway wants to see the hosts balance their attack with leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

Fast bowling and Western Australia have traditionally gone hand-in-hand and on a fresh Perth Stadium pitch that played host to just one of the four matches played at the venue last summer – a T20 match between Perth Scorchers and the England Lions - selectors could be convinced to play all four of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

But Johnson has pushed the case of Zampa, the South Australia spinner who took 1-46 from 10 overs against England at the venue earlier this year, even if the retired quick says he’d love to see four quicks let fly at the Proteas.

"Four (fast) bowlers is always nice,” Johnson, who turned 37 on Friday, said ahead of Sunday's opening Gillette ODI Series clash.

“But I just think for the balance of the side, having Zampa there with his variation it is good for Australia.

"In any team you need a spinner to break things up. With that extra bit of bounce here, Zampa, the way he bowls, I think it would be a good wicket for him to play on."

The composition of Australia's bowling attack is perhaps the biggest headache for selectors, who would have been buoyed by what they saw from the recovering Starc on Friday.

Having been restricted to running and bowling off a few steps on Thursday, Starc charged in off his long run at Friday’s training and showed no signs of the hamstring issue that's hampered him in recent weeks.

A thunderbolt from the left-armer crashed into the right glove of skipper Aaron Finch, requiring the opener to go for scans on his index finger. Fortunately for the hosts, there is no significant damage and Finch is free to play on Sunday.

Despite Starc appearing to be close to his best, Johnson warned against playing the spearhead too early in his comeback given the long summer still to come.

"If he's not 100 per cent I wouldn't pick him," Johnson said.

"It would be nice for him to play but I just think if he's got that little niggle there, there is a long road ahead.

"He's just come back from the UAE where it's quite hot conditions, the wickets are flat.

"It really did test him, and I think if he wants to get through a summer he needs to be 100 per cent right.

"I want to see him back to his best. I don't think he's too far away, but they need to be smart about his selection."

Australia v Proteas, Gillette ODI series, November 2018

First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4

Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9

Third ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.