Starc: 'You couldn't ask for more'

Mitchell Starc, returning from a gruesome leg injury, posted impressive figures of 4-71 as the touring team was bowled out for 242, with Australia closing on 105-0 following David Warner's swashbuckling 73.

Australia bowler Mitchell Starc took a wicket in the first over of the day, but said he still felt he needed more time on the field to get back to his best.

Mitchell Starc was content with an excellent day's work after Australia seized control of the first Test with South Africa in Perth.

The paceman, returning from a gruesome leg injury, posted impressive figures of 4-71 as the touring team was bowled out for 242, with Australia closing on 105-0 following David Warner's swashbuckling 73.

"You couldn't have asked for much more on day one of the summer," said Starc.

"To bowl South Africa out, with a pretty experienced line-up, then to finish the day none for 100 — we're very happy with that and we'll move on to tomorrow and try to dominate that day as well.

"The boys really enjoyed it and, with the way we finished, we probably couldn't have asked for anything better."

Starc took a wicket in the first over of the day, but said he still felt he needed more time on the field to get back to his best.

Speaking about his fitness after a freak training-ground incident that saw him suffer a deep laceration to his left shin, Starc added: "[I'm] still trying to get some of that rhythm and smoothness back, but to get through 18 and a half overs for the day felt good.

"I felt in a good place, my speeds were reading okay as well, so personally I guess I'm happy with the role I played and we did bowl well in partnerships for a long time.

"There were little stages where we bowled a little bit short, or a little bit too full, where they got away and batted well with a couple of good partnerships in the middle, but to bowl South Africa out for under 250 is a pretty good day for the bowlers."