Contrasting fortunes in a tale of two Mitchells

Sunday's Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series final will reunite super southpaws Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc for the first time since September, but should England be worried?

Coming up against two men who can swing the new and old white ball at more than 150kph would worry any batting line-up in the world.

But when the two left-arm tearaways have played together, past performances show that while one Mitchell fires the other Mitchell fades.

The pair have played 17 one-day internationals together, and statistics show that it has been Starc that has not only outdone his senior partner, he's been twice as good as him.

Career Statistics

Starc has taken 36 wickets at 17.92, compared to Johnson's 17 scalps at 34.06 in those matches stretching back to November 2010.

While Starc's numbers slightly improve from his already outstanding ODI career, Johnson's are significantly worse.

The 33-year-old averages 25.72 from 144 one-dayers, but when he's teamed up with the NSW product, his average jumps to 34.06, and his strike rate climbs 10 balls more per wicket.

Playing together

The pair have played two matches together at the WACA, the scene of Sunday's tri-series final. Both of them against the West Indies in February 2013 – Starc returned figures of 5-20 and 5-32, while Johnson went wicketless.

While those numbers are alarming to Australian fans, the only thing that matters is winning, and when the two lefties combine Australia have won 11 of the 16 matches in which there has been a result.

With 12 wickets in four matches this series, Starc made sure Australia kept winning while their spearhead rested after a gruelling two months in benign, batsman-friendly wickets.

Playing apart

Speaking after his 4-42 in game one of the series against England, Starc said he was relishing his chance to be the No.1 strike bowler, but was eager for his left-arm partner in crime to return.

"We all know our roles really well and whenever Mitch (Johnson) is around you know he's going to be bowling fast and very aggressively," Starc said.

"We're all trying to pick up the slack and when he does come back into the side it's going to be great. It's nice to take wickets and try and bowl fast."

Starc continued his wicket-taking ways in the next match with a career-best 6-43 against India at the MCG.

Starc's sweet six at the MCG

But now arguably the most fearsome fast bowler in the world is back in Australia's starting XI, and he's liked what Starc has done in his absence.

"I've been really impressed with him," said Johnson today.

"Earlier in the IPL, he was doing it there and he's just continued his form. He's really comfortable with his bowling in one-day cricket. He swings the ball and bowls fast.

"It's really nice to be able to work with him. He's young, he's aggressive and he loves bowling.

"I think we bowl well together in the short form and hopefully we can bowl well together on the weekend."