Pattinson crowns new spearhead

In the wake of Mitchell Johnson's shock retirement from international cricket, incoming quick James Pattinson has named Mitchell Starc as the new Test spearhead for Australia.

Pattinson has taken Johnson's place in Australia's 13-man Test squad for the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval next Friday, and says Starc is the man to take the mantle of the leader of the pace attack.

"He's had a tremendous 12 months of cricket," Pattinson said. "He's been remarkable, he keeps taking wickets.

"He definitely would have to be (the new spearhead).

"If Pete (Siddle) plays he's got the experience there as well. So it would be good to have those two guys working together and then whoever else gets picked gets picked." 

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The baton has been passed // Getty Images

Bupa Support Team bowling coach Craig McDermott has worked closely with both Starc and Johnson in the national setup, agreed with Pattinson that torch had been passed from one left-armer to another.

"If anything we saw the changing of the guard here two days ago (in the second Test), with Mitchell Starc bowling consistently 150-odd kilometres an hour," McDermott said.

"And for me sitting back and watching that, it was like the changing of the guard, and hopefully Mitchell Starc can have as an illustrious a career as Mitchell Johnson has." 

WATCH: Starc breaks 160kph barrier

Starc lit up the second Commonwealth Bank Test at the WACA Ground last week, regularly clocking speeds in excess of 150kph, with one bolt of lightning registering 160.4kph on the speed gun.

But don't expect those types of speeds if Pattinson is selected to play his first Test since February 2014.

"I don't think I'm capable of 160kph," he said. "That was a pretty good effort, wasn't it?

"It's all about rhythm when you're bowling. Starcy had that the other day when he was bowling fast the other day so you try to be relaxed and get that rhythm."

Pattinson's speed has been recorded well into the 150kph region before and after severe back injuries that have seen the 25-year-old remodel his action to better cope with the rigours of fast bowling.

The Victorian quick has played two Sheffield Shield matches this summer, bowling 76 overs and taking 8 wickets, and says he's happy with his velocity despite the heavy workload.

"The wickets have been pretty slow so it's hard to get a gauge.

"I feel like I'm hitting the bat pretty hard, the ball is coming out pretty well so I'm feeling really good." 

WATCH: Siddle shines with six at The Oval

Pattinson, Starc and Siddle join Josh Hazlewood in the four-man fast bowling battery in Australia's squad, with Siddle the frontrunner to return into the starting XI after carrying the drinks in the first two Tests.

Siddle starred his last match in the Baggy Green, taking six wickets in Australia's consolation win over England in the final Test of the Ashes at The Oval in August.

The Victorian was overlooked for Hazlewood for the start of the Test summer, and now the veteran has a new challenger in close friend Pattinson.

Pattinson says he can understand Siddle's early season frustrations but is still buzzing from the surprise call-up.

"If I was Sidds and missed out I'd probably be pretty disappointed too," he said.

"It's good that's there's good competition. I'm just really rapt to be in squad to be honest – I probably wasn't expecting it.

"If I don't get selected so be it, I'll just keep pushing and putting my name forward (to the selectors)."

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Pattinson could swap red ball for pink ball next week // cricket.com.au