Mitchell Starc was singled out by stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith following the second Test victory over England in Adelaide on Monday night.
The left arm quick was the chief destroyer in the first innings of the second Ashes meeting this series, taking 4/37 in the absence of skipper Pat Cummins (COVID scare) and Josh Hazlewood (side strain).
Smith, who helped guide the team to a 275-run win in the day-night Test, praised Starc for his return to top form after he chipped in with six scalps over the two innings.
“I want to make special mention to Mitchell Starc,” Smith said post-match on Fox Cricket.
“I thought he bowled as good as I’ve seen him bowl for a long time.
“His line and lengths were exceptional and he led this attack really well.”
Smith was asked if Starc enjoyed further responsibility with no Cummins and Hazlewood in the XI.
“Perhaps that was it, I’m not too sure,” Smith added.
“He summed it up pretty quickly that there wasn’t a great deal of swing for him and he was just trying to bash a good length, go across the right-handers in particular and just hit good areas.
“I thought he did that as well as I’ve seen him do that throughout his whole career.
“It looked like he was in a great rhythm, feeling really good and I’m really proud of the way he went about his business.”
Having bowled impressively in the first dig with figures of 2/24, including the prized scalp of England captain Joe Root, youngster Cameron Green was used sparingly on the fifth day.
Smith explained why the 22-year-old all-rounder only chimed in briefly as the Aussies went about trying to claim the last few wickets required for victory.
“The guys inside said they didn’t really want him to bowl at all today,” Smith said.
“I was kind of trying to manage his workload as much as possible. We’ve got to remember he’s still a young kid, he bowled the last two days and it’s a long series.
“Boxing Day is not that long away so I held him back for as long as I could. I wanted to have a little crack with him. I thought he might’ve been able to get the breakthrough when they had that partnership going (between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes).
“Ideally he wouldn’t have bowled today but we’ve seen how good he is. He has taken key wickets for us in the first couple of games this series, so hopefully more of that to come.”
Jhye Richardson was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings, taking 5/42 for his maiden Test five for.
His performance will make selection for the Boxing Day Test a tricky position with Smith admitting he has “no idea” if Hazlewood will return for December 26.
Australia takes a 2-0 lead with them to the MCG.