Cricket: Lehmann tells Starc to calm his aggression

Mitchell Starc throws the ball at Mark Craig during the first test. Photo / Getty

Australian coach Darren Lehmann says Mitchell Starc has to find a "happy medium" when it comes to his on-field temper.

Lehmann's comments come after paceman Starc was fined $8300 by the match referee and publicly rebuked by captain Steve Smith for throwing the ball at New Zealand tailender Mark Craig on the final day of Australia's first Test victory in Brisbane.

Starc, who was last year criticised by Shane Warne for "soft" body language, now risks a potential suspension if he falls foul of officials again in the three-Test series, having been reprimanded for giving India's Murali Vijay a send-off at the SCG earlier this year.

Lehmann said he was pleased with how rookie skipper Smith dealt with the matter and confident that 25-year-old Starc wouldn't put his foot out of line again.

"He's got to find that happy medium," Lehmann said on Tuesday.

"They're all great kids, learning their way in international cricket.

"You love to see the aggression, it's just making sure it's the right time."

Smith, in his first Test as captain since the retirement of Michael Clarke, took an early opportunity to stamp his authority on the team by describing Starc's actions as "pretty disappointing" and telling reporters he would have a word with the paceman about curtailing such behaviour.

Lehmann said: "I was very happy with the captain and the way he handled that. I know the players are."

"He's had a chat to him and that's done and dusted from where I sit.

"The way he talks to players behind the scenes, there's a lot that goes on.

"We've been really impressed with him as a coaching staff group."

The Australian team is set to arrive in Perth later on Tuesday ahead of the second Test at the WACA, which begins on Friday.

- AAP