It's been four years but the pain of having a childhood dream dashed by Cricket Australia's controversial rotation policy still cuts deep for the left-arm speed demon.

​The 26-year-old is entering this year's marquee fixture off a marginally higher workload to that he encountered in 2012 but this time he has a man's body and feels he has the resilience to withstand a battering.

He felt similarly back then as well but was ordered to rest, a decision that left him "absolutely shattered" and his friends and family furious. Rubbing salt into the wounds, he learned via the media of his exclusion.

That has been the closest Starc has come to wearing the baggy green on one of the biggest days of the cricket calendar, with selection and injuries going against him.

CA has already said there are no plans to rest Starc for the final two Tests of the summer. Starc, however, could not resist a clip at former coach Mickey Arthur, now at the helm with Pakistan, who was one of the men who rubber-stamped his omission.

"It's happened before. He's in the other camp now, I think," Starc said.

"The last ball I bowled in that Test match [in Brisbane] which was in the 56th over was 149 clicks so no issues from my end, I can only speak for myself.

"You'll have to ask the other quicks if they're any different. Boxing Day Test gets everyone ready to go.

"From what I've seen the last day and a half everyone's feeling good, recovered, well and ready for a Boxing Day Test. There's no reason anyone will be missing out through injury or rest as far as I know.

"Personally, as a kid growing up watching the Boxing Day Test it's always been a dream of mine to play in front of a full house at the MCG.

"If I get the chance this week, we'll tick that off. It'd be a fantastic experience to walk out, sing that anthem and play."

Starc will have a light few days in the nets, bowling more to get used to having the red ball back in the hand than to correct any deficiencies. It has been some effort by Starc to still have a considerable impact this summer after his preparations were derailed by a nasty gash to his knee.

"My body's matured. It hasn't been the ideal preparation being in a cast for four weeks before the first Test.

"I said before Perth I was behind where I wanted to do be. I've been able to keep that up through that South Africa series, the one-dayers working closely with [physiotherapist] David Beakley and [physical performance coach] Aaron Kellett to get the extra sessions I need.

"It's all in a good space. I could ideally prepare better than being in a cast but the way it's going I'm pretty happy how I'm handling my body."

The need to look after Australia's premier pace duo Starc and Josh Hazlewood means there will be a strong case to blood West Australian all-rounder Hilton Cartwright.

That would spell trouble for incumbent No.6 Nic Maddinson, who has struggled in his two Tests. Starc, however, went into bat for his NSW teammate as he understands how hard it can be to make the transition to Test cricket without continuity.

"There were times when I was backed more and given more of a chance and a longer run of cricket where my performances started to pick up and I got consistency in my game," Starc said.

"I definitely think Maddo should get another chance – in the end it's up to selectors. I think continued cricket definitely at this level can only help him.

"It'll be a great opportunity for him on Boxing Day after we've had a couple of good wins – it'd be nice to stick together."