Mitchell Starc is expected to be Australia’s day-night wrecking ball but Nathan Lyon might yet trump him with the pink pill.

Starc snared eight wickets in last month’s day-night Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval, a dress rehearsal for the historic fixture that starts on Friday at the same venue.

The left-armer was at his most unplayable with the new ball under lights, striking twice in the space of seven deliveries on day one.

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Lyon grabbed three wickets in that match but was buoyed by the sight of Australia’s finest player of spin being bamboozled by a part-time offspinner.

“Steve Smith said Travis Head was probably the hardest bowler to face here in the Shield match,” Lyon said.

Lyon grabbed three wickets in last month’s day-night Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval. Photo: AAP

“That’s a pretty good indication – that the No.1 batsman in the world hadn’t picked up (Head’s offspin).

“Some of the best batters in the world … they can’t pick the seam up.”

Starc was scathing of the pink ball earlier this year – pointedly outlining concerns about its visibility and irregular behaviour.

More recently, the 26-year-old has kept his views to himself.

Lyon suggested Starc had changed his tune and was now excited about the innovative fixture against New Zealand.

“I know he’s looking forward to it,” Lyon said.

“He had his comments a couple months ago but I know he’s sitting in that hotel over there and can’t wait to get out here and play with that pink ball.”

James Pattinson wasn’t quite so sure but felt a little anger wasn’t the worst thing for the left-armer, Australia’s new spearhead following the retirement of Mitchell Johnson.

“A fired-up Mitch Starc is always a good thing,” Pattinson said.

“He’s had an amazing 12 months. He’s been unbelievable.

“He’s jumping out of his skin (to play) and, hopefully, he can do what he did against the SACAs out here with the pink ball.”

Australia will make at least two changes to the XI that drew the second Test, with Johnson and hamstrung batsman Usman Khawaja both out.

Lyon says Stark has slowly warmed up to the pink ball. Photo: AAP

Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Steve O’Keefe have joined the squad in Adelaide, where Starc is the only guaranteed starter in Australia’s attack.

It means more than half of Australia’s 13-man squad played in last month’s Shield fixture at Adelaide Oval.

“We know what to expect. It’s definitely an advantage that we played here a couple of weeks ago under lights with the pink ball,” Lyon said.

Much has been made of how grassy the pitch will be and the need for batsmen to readjust, however the deck is almost identical to what NSW played on last month.

“It was the perfect wicket,” former Adelaide Oval groundsman Lyon said.

“(The curator) spoke to myself, Dave Warner and Steve Smith before and after the Shield game to get our feedback. I know we all gave positive feedback.”

Despite the assistance, Lyon noted Australia’s bowlers had to bowl a lot better than they managed in Brisbane and Perth.

“We talk about bowling in partnerships and we probably haven’t done that over the past two Tests,” he said.
Australia hold a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

– AAP