Only Adam Zampa has taken more T20 wickets for Australia than Starc, who has played in the country’s victorious World Test Championship, World Cup and T20 World Cup sides.

In Starc’s favour, George Bailey’s selection panel has generally, though not always, favoured experience when crunch decisions have needed to be made, having kept faith in David Warner during his protracted downswing as a Test player.

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In this tournament, they have backed in veteran Matthew Wade over Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis over the less-experienced Cameron Green, and again maintained faith in Warner despite a series of jaw-dropping performances by young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk in the Indian Premier League.

“Definitely Hazlewood and Cummins will come back into that line-up, hence why they were rested last game to give them the best opportunity to press deep into this tournament,” McDonald said on SEN of the XI to face Bangladesh in Australia’s first super eight game on Friday morning (AEST) in Antigua.

“Nathan Ellis has been excellent as well with his creativity and defensive skills. If it’s a two-spin wicket we can go in with Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa and have to leave out a quick. We’ve got all that available to us. A healthy squad gives us great options at the selection table.”

The pitch in Antigua is expected to suit three fast men, but conditions in St Vincent have heavily favoured spin and produced winning totals of less than a run a ball.

With five games in 11 days should Australia make the final, there is every chance Starc will be required at some point to get through a busy schedule, even if he were to miss out against Bangladesh.

Drawn with India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Australia will need to win at least two games and have a strong net run rate to qualify for the semis.

“It’s very cut-throat,” McDonald said.

Australia take on Bangladesh from 10.30am AEST on Friday.

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