Australian fast bowling leader Peter Siddle says he’s confident of being passed fit to play in Friday’s decisive third Test against South Africa in Perth.
Siddle bowled himself into the ground on the final day of the drawn second Test in Adelaide on Monday in a warrior-like performance, an effort which prompted doubts over his ability to back up four days later.
The 28-year-old has been in recovery mode since, spending his time on the massage table, in the surf, filling himself with fluids and most importantly sleeping.
Siddle won’t bowl again until match eve but said on Wednesday his body was responding like it would be ready for action, as the No.1 Test ranking goes on the line.
“Yeah definitely I’m feeling good now, I’ve recovered well and got everything I needed to get done after the game,” said Siddle at the WACA.
“Last couple of days I’ll just take it easy and get ready tomorrow and prepare then. I feel good, I’ve got plenty of sleep and the body is feeling good which is nice.
“I woke up feeling good this morning … so I’ll have a bit of a trundle tomorrow and see how we go there.”
Siddle said the 33 overs (4-65) he bowled in the fourth innings of the drawn Adelaide Test was one of the toughest experiences of his Test career.
The conditions were hot, and with James Pattinson unable to bowl, Ben Hilfenhaus was his only fast bowling ally.
“It was very dry heat out on the field which was tough work and a lot of overs which is always a tough ask … just a bit of exhaustion and fight trying to get those last couple of wickets,” Siddle said.
Siddle said he’d been boosted by the inclusion of three new quicks, with Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and John Hastings added to the Adelaide Test squad.
The Victorian said long-term Australian teammate Johnson had slotted back in well after 12 months out of Test cricket.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together and played a lot of cricket together so it’s nice to have him back around the group,” Siddle said.
“My (Bushrangers) teammate John Hastings and young Josh Hazlewood is back in the group – so it’s a good group of guys.”