This post might be a bit long so first I'll address Boult's competition then have a fap over Starc.
I'm not sure where the idea has come from in this thread that Boult has no competition. With due respect to our overseas voters, if Boult mucks around he will be out on his backside in favour of the left armers Wagner, Wheeler or maybe even my mate Mitch M if the selectors feel like a
Boulter.
Wagner many of you will have seen, and he's lethal with the moving ball but fades once it wears off. Wheeler imo is better, with the swing and control of Boult but not quite the pace. He's 133 - 137kph compared to Boult's 135-143kph. McClenaghan is a bouncy genuine quick but not as accomplished as the other two. He also specialises in ripping into people on the internet who don't rate him when his resident spy SteveNZ tips them off.
Or we could just pick one of the right armers, but with a few left young armers around dominating the Shield we would be mad not to pick one.
So yeah, Boult is the best of our left armers but could easily end up sidelined if he completely loses the plot. He and Starc have a lot to play for because quite rightly dross from either won't be tolerated for very long from their respective selectors.
On Starc - I've had a bit more of a look in his subsequent spells and while his pace wasn't especially quick, he was quick enough and the action just looks so easy for him. He and that headcase Johnson are great examples to show young left armers of what to do and what not to do. The WACA pitch is made for Starc and his bounce as well. Will definitely keep test batsmen on their toes. Overall I found the way he bowled to be very professional. So many youngsters his age pick up a few early wickets against big name batsmen then proceed to get overexcited and lose the plot. He didn't, and full credit to him.