Mitchell Starc has urged curators to stick to their guns and roll out lively pitches for the Ashes, with he and Nathan Lyon believing any push for Tests to go the distance should be irrelevant.

Curators will walk a fine line this summer, with Australia's players desperate for greener wickets they believe can help take down England's batting.

At the same time Cricket Australia believe this summer can provide a much-needed financial windfall, with record crowds expected and 13 of a possible 25 days already sold out.

Starc made his return to red-ball cricket on Monday, taking four Victorian wickets in the Sheffield Shield.

But he was also on the end of an onslaught from Sam Harper, who took the left-armer for 22 off one over before being caught on the boundary.

Asked whether he expected

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