After taking a wicket with the fourth ball of the day and going on to post figures of 4/71, Mitchell Starc was definitely happy with the quality of the WACA pitch.
"It's better than last year," Starc said, referring to Australia's draw with New Zealand in 2015.
"There was a bit in it for bowlers throughout the day. We even saw a couple jump off newish cracks towards the end. At the same time, [it is] a really fast outfield and a nice wicket if batsmen get in.
"It's a lot nicer to bowl on than Sri Lanka, that's for sure. All you're after is an even contest between bat and ball, and there was something in it [the pitch] throughout the day. If you put the ball in the right areas and made the batsmen play, your catchers were always in the game.
"There'll be enough in it throughout the whole Test match if you're willing to put the ball in the right area often enough. At the same time, if batsmen get in and want to take the game on, like Davey did tonight, there's plenty of runs out there. You couldn't ask for more from the opening day of the summer."
Starc was rested for Australia's recent ODI tour of South Africa that ended on the wrong side of a 5-0 series whitewash, after sustaining a gash to his leg prior to that series.
The fast bowler is still overcoming his injury, but 18 overs on the opening day was enough to give him confidence.
"I'm still trying to get some of that rhythm and smoothness back," he said.
"But to get through 18-and-a-half overs for the day felt good. My speeds were reading okay as well, so personally I was happy with the role I played.
