Ex-Aussie speedster Jeff Thomson has hailed Mitchell Starc as he goes in search of a world record in Adelaide.

Starc was clocked at 160.4km/h during the second Test against New Zealand at the WACA, giving him the fourth-fastest ball in international history.

Only Shoaib Akhtar (161.3 km/h), Shaun Tait and Brett Lee (both 161.1 km/h) have bowled quicker in an international match, although Thomson – who took 200 wickets in 51 Tests – registered a 160.6 km/h delivery in a 1976 study at the WACA.

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Starc has taken 10 wickets in the two Tests so far and Thomson, who praised the 25-year-old’s longevity, thinks he’ll add to that tally considerably in the historic day-night clash.

“If you bowl with a proper action, the better you get. He’s gotten better every time he bowls,” Thomson said in the Herald Sun.

“Starcy, I like him. He swings the ball, has big pace and bounce and he can bat a bit if he works on it.”

“He’s just a good athlete,” said Thompson, “He’s made it because of that and his ability.”

“Has he broken down? No. Those other guys (Pat Cummins, James Pattinson) have to get their stuff together.”

With Mitchell Johnson now retired, Thomson feels Starc is ready to step up and lead Australia’s attack.

“Starc now has got to do what Johnson was doing,” he added.

“He’s got to be the mainstay in the attack. He’s the frontman. He’s a good enough bowler.

“He’s a bloody athlete and a good cricketer so it will be interesting to see what happens.”