Starc to seek tips from Johnson for Sri Lanka tour

Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has said he will seek tips from former and present bowlers in order to get an understanding of the subcontinent pitches before they head to Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series, starting July 26.

The 26-year-old, who has made 25 Test appearances, will be the most experienced fast bowler in the squad, which includes Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Despite having no experience of playing in the island nation outside the World Twenty20 in 2012, Starc will heavily rely on his own experience of playing two Tests in India.

"Guys like Peter Siddle and Mitch Johnson we can call on to pick their brains about subcontinent bowling as well," Starc was quoted as saying by news.com.au. "I'm sure the conditions will be pretty similar to something like India ... with how they rely on their spinners."

"We still definitely keep in contact with those boys and we will for a long time, because we're pretty close mates," Starc said.

Starc admitted that he had already started preparing for the series by talking to fellow teammate and spin specialist Nathan Lyon, who made his Test debut in 2011 in Galle.

The left-hander, who returned from injury in the ongoing Caribbean tri-series, also underlined the significance of reverse-swing, saying that it would his key weapon for the forthcoming tour.

"Reverse-swing is going to be a huge thing," he observed. "I'm always going to try and reverse that ball after it stops swinging. It's something I pride myself on, working hard and making the most out of that old ball."

Australia, which became the number one Test side after defeating New Zealand 2-0 in February, will aim to retain their numero uno position after the series.