Mitchell Starc struggles with the heat during day one. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Recalled quick Starc was in clear heat distress and off the Gabba for a period midway through the second session and was also struggling with a sore back and rib pain.

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Warne’s spray at Starc had come earlier and was directed at Starc’s “lack of presence” as a fast bowler, on what was a disastrous day for the New South Welshman who finished with 0-56.

Warne certainly didn’t miss.

“His body language has to be tougher. He just looks a bit nonchalant. A bit hunched shoulders,” he said on Channel Nine, before emphasising:

“He just looks a bit soft.”

Peter Siddle of Australia checks on teammate Mitchell Starc, who was affected by heat. Source: Getty Images

If there’s one critique that’s likely to cut to the core of a fast bowler, it’s the insinuation of being soft.

Starc won’t like it, and his girlfriend, Australian women’s cricketer, Alyssa Healy tweeted a short time later: “Any danger of something positive ….”

Australian coach Lehmann was far from impressed with Warne last night.

“I haven’t heard that? He (Warne) used those words did he?’’ Lehmann responded.

“That’s very harsh. I will take that up with Shane myself.

“At the end of the day ... it was a very hot day and it was hard work for a fast bowler on a very good wicket.’’

However, it might be worth Starc’s while to listen back to what Warne had to say.

Because for the most part, he was spot on.

Soft might be a little harsh, but the numbers don’t lie – Starc has been dropped 10 times during his 14-Test career.

It's been a tough opening day for Australia in the second test as India finished up 4/311.

On only three occasions has he played back-to-back Tests.

Starc has reasonably suggested in the past that it’s hard for him to find any continuity in the Test side, because he is always in and out.

But the counter argument is he needs to seize his opportunity.

The 24-year-old failed to do that yesterday in his shock recall at the expense of Peter Siddle, going for 0-56 off 14 overs.

Mitchell Starc struggles with the heat under the watchful eye of Dr Peter Brukner. Picture: Adam Head. Source: News Corp Australia

And Warne had some pointed advice and it was all about how he carries himself on the field.

“He has to really stick his chest out and really follow through and give good strong body language,” he continued.

“… In his follow through, he’s just like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve bowled a ball, I’ll just go back and bowl again.’

“There’s no real presence with Starc. He needs to let the batsmen know he’s here.

“I’d like to see him really own the batsmen and let them know he’s around.

“He doesn’t have to say anything, it’s just his presence and his body language.”

Warne described Starc as “erratic” and inconsistent - but he wasn’t the only one, Mark Taylor agreed.

Doug Bollinger joins Tom Chadwick to discuss the opening day of the second test from the GABBA.

When Starc returned for his final spell in the last session, he was hammered for consecutive boundaries off his first two balls.

“He’s got to bounce back here,” said Warne.

“Help his team out.”

If there is bad blood between the left-arm quick and the legendary leg-spinner, it would appear to date back to late 2012, when Warne said he was still capable of playing cricket for Australia.

The question was posed to Starc at a press conference, and quite rightly he dug in for incumbent spinner and teammate, Nathan Lyon.

Shane Warne in his Melbourne Stars days. Source: News Limited

“He’s (Warne) done his time. He’s obviously done a lot of great things for Australian cricket, but he’s done and dusted now, and Nathan Lyon’s the spinner,” Starc said at the time.

“We’re all backing Nathan to do his job and if Shane Warne wants to come out of retirement and give it a crack, good luck to him.”

Starc was on the money on that front, but he’s got to do something different if he’s to establish himself as a regular part of the Test attack.

And body language might be a good place to start.

He needs to carry himself like he belongs.

Mitchell Starc struggles with the heat during day one. Picture: Adam Head. Source: News Corp Australia