Neser was also the most economical of the Australians, going at 3.07 runs an over, with 16 of those coming in two overs during his opening spell.
Starc felt the statistics were not reflective of the quality of bowling.
“Joe obviously batted really well for his hundred, and I thought there were some really good patches of bowling there that probably went unrewarded,” he said.
“We know how good Scotty is. Nes and Doggy are a little less experienced on the Test scene but are two guys who have had a lot of experience.”
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While it would take a brave call to parachute Richardson into the Test squad immediately ahead of the third clash in Adelaide, particularly with skipper Pat Cummins tipped to make his comeback from a back complaint, his form will undoubtedly have selectors on alert.
Josh Hazlewood is also not expected to be fit from a hamstring injury until the back-end of the Ashes, opening the door for Richardson should another injury strike.
The form of Murphy would also have caught the Australian hierarchy’s eye, with the Victorian contending with Gold Coast product Matthew Kuhnemann to be considered Nathan Lyon’s heir apparent, whose future suddenly appears to be clouded.
Lyon was a shock omission from the second Test in favour of Neser, a move chief selector George Bailey admitted upset the 38-year-old. It was also a ploy that caught England opener Zak Crawley, who scored 76 on day one, by surprise.
It is the second time in three games Australia’s greatest off-spinner has been left out of the side – the last time being the pink ball day-night clash in the West Indies.
His demotion follows his lack of involvement at Perth Stadium, where he had taken 29 wickets from five Tests leading into the Ashes but bowled just two overs for that match.
At the Gabba, he averages just 28.8 with the ball.
Nathan Lyon was left frustrated by his second Test omission. Credit: Getty Images
“It’s a tough one for Nath. Everyone wants to play every game, and I’m sure he’ll be disappointed not to be playing this week. It’s certainly not a reflection on his skills,” Starc said.
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“They certainly looked at the conditions and made the choice of our attack for these conditions.”
While Lyon is likely to feature for the remainder of the series, the fate of fellow veteran Usman Khawaja was thrown into even greater doubt.
The Queensland opener, who turns 39 before the third Test, was ruled out of the Gabba clash after failing to recover from the back spasms which cruelled him in the summer’s launch.
In his absence, Travis Head (33) and Jake Weatherald (72) got Australia off to a flyer, putting on a 77-run stand to mount a compelling case to remain as a top order union.
Their efforts laid the platform for their country to end day two 6-378, a lead of 44 runs.
Even Australia’s domestic openers were pushing their case, with Sam Konstas striking 116 for New South Wales against Queensland, while Campbell Kellaway managed 71 for Australia A.
Matt Renshaw made eight against the Lions, but already boasts three Shield centuries this summer.
While Khawaja’s replacement, Josh Inglis, copped a peach from Ben Stokes to be dismissed for 23, the list of contenders has ensured the former’s return – if fit – for the third Test is no guarantee.
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