BRISBANE: Mitchell Starc received a rebuke from his captain and a fine from the International Cricket Council for being too aggressive in the 208-run win over New Zealand at the Gabba on Monday, almost a year after he was criticised for appearing to be too meek in a match at the same venue.
Starc fielded the ball that New Zealand's Mark Craig had blocked from his bowling and threw it back toward the batting end, as Australia's bowlers sought to end the frustrating and free-hitting last-wicket stand.
“It was pretty disappointing,” Smith said. “He's done it a few times and I'm going to have a word to him. I don't think it was necessary ... there wasn't an opportunity for a run-out there.
“It was just a bit of frustration and he just needs to let it out in other ways.”
Starc bowled the fastest delivery of the match - at almost 150 kph (93 mph) - not long after, and eventually picked up the last wicket, having Trent Boult (15) caught behind.
Craig scored an unbeaten 26 in a 46-run partnership with Boult, a record for a last-wicket New Zealand pair at the Gabba, delaying what had become by then an inevitable Australian victory.
“I don't think he needs to apologise,” Smith said. “I just don't think he needs to do it in the future.”
Starc later admitted to a breach of Article 2.2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to throwing a ball or equipment at or near another player or official in an inappropriate or dangerous manner, and was fined 50 per cent of his match fee by match referee Roshan Mahanama.
The left-arm paceman returned 4-57 in the first innings and 2-69 in the second, with his six wickets being the most of any bowler in the match.
Starc has become one of the leading bowlers in international cricket over the past year since former spin great Shane Warne criticised him for his body language on a hot, humid day during a Test win over India in Brisbane.
Starc starred in the one-day format during Australia's World Cup win, earning high praise for his swing and more particularly his yorker, but there were question marks over whether he and fellow left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson were too similar to be in the same attack.
Smith said the new-ball bowling wasn't on the right length at the Gabba, but was generally impressed with the bowlers in the series-opening match and expected improvement at the WACA for the second Test in Perth, where the pitch usually offers good pace and bounce.
Starc was reprimanded by the ICC for yelling at Murali Vijay after dismissing the Indian batsman during a match in Sydney earlier this year, and was also involved in a contentious episode in a recent series in England in September when his attempted run-out throw was obstructed by batsman Ben Stokes, who was adjudged to be out as a result.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum gave Starc the benefit of the doubt, saying he hoped the Australian bowler was attempting to hit the stumps rather than the batsman.
“The game was played in really good spirits,” he said. “I hope he was trying to aim at the stumps and if that's the case and it slipped out then we'll give him the benefit of the doubt.”
