Pace bowler Peter Siddle believes Shane Watson could be the man to help Australia get over the line in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart.
The home side will resume on Monday’s fourth day of play on 0-27, an overall lead of 141.
Australia’s possible declaration late on day four could set up an exciting run chase for the tourists on a docile pitch, as Michael Clarke’s men bid to take 10 Sri Lankan wickets despite the side injury to swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus.
Siddle toiled bravely in the first innings to take 5-54 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 336 in reply to Australia’s 5-450.
Hilfenhaus is unlikely to bowl again in the match, in a similar scenario to the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide last month when Australia failed narrowly to take 10 wickets with paceman James Pattinson unfit to bowl in the Proteas’ second innings.
“Lucky enough we have Shane, which is different to Adelaide,” Siddle says.
“It’s a matter of going about our job and getting the business done. We were lucky enough (on Sunday) after lunch that the bowlers dug in and did the job the way we wanted to do it.
“It’s an advantage to go in with a lead but it’s played similar to what it has the last few days.
“There’s a bit of variable bounce and hard work to score if you bowl in the right areas. There was a bit of spin so that might come into it in the next couple of days.
“We have to press forward tomorrow, it will be hard to start for the batters but they will dig in and we have to see how we go and work out a target.
“Hopefully the rain stays away and we get a good match of it. It will be a tight finish.”
Australian team physio Alex Kountouris says Watson, who was rested from the Adelaide Test with a calf injury, would not be facing any workload restrictions in Hobart.
“There’s absolutely no limits to what Watto bowls in the game,” Kountouris said.
“He missed the Adelaide Test match because he wasn’t 100 per cent fit to do this, to bowl as the captain needed him to.”
Hilfenhaus is not only in doubt to be able to bowl in Sri Lanka’s second innings but he’s almost certain to miss the second Test in Melbourne on Boxing Day, joining other quicks such as Pattinson, Patrick Cummins (back) and Ryan Harris (shoulder) on the sidelines.
Hilfenhaus’ condition will be assessed on Monday morning.
