Australia's pace spearhead Peter Siddle says he'sconfident of being fit to play in the decisive third test against South Africastarting Friday in Perth.
Siddle has been recovering from a marathon 33-over bowlingeffort in intense heat in the fourth innings of the drawn second test and willnot bowl in the nets until Thursday. On Wednesday he his body was respondingwell and he is confident he will be ready to play at the WACA.
The 28-year-old said his bowling spell Monday was one of thetoughest experiences of his test career.
"It was very dry heat out on the field which was toughwork and a lot of overs ... just a bit of exhaustion and fight trying to getthose last couple of wickets," Siddle said.
Faf du Plessis weathered Australia's bowling attackthroughout the final day of the second test to score an unbeaten maiden centuryand help South Africa salvage a draw.
Despite Australia's official policy of rotating its fastbowlers to ensure adequate recovery time and avoid burnout, the loss of pacemanJames Pattinson for the season with a side strain makes Siddle's fitness forthe third test vital.
"Last couple of days I'll just take it easy and getready tomorrow and prepare then. I feel good, I've got plenty of sleep and thebody is feeling good which is nice," Siddle said. "I woke up feelinggood this morning ... so I'll have a bit of a trundle tomorrow and see how wego there."
The loss of Pattinson midway through the second test alsoprovides a reminder of the dangers of pushing a body too far.
"I don't want to miss any test matches ... but I'vestill got to think of the end result," said Siddle, who says he expects tohave final say on his fitness and doesn't anticipate selectors enforcing therotation policy on him without consultation.
"I'm feeling good now, I've recovered well ... but ifI'm struggling through tomorrow or if I don't feel 100 percent I've got to talkto the captain, the selectors and work out what's best."
Australia played four quicks in last year's thrashing ofIndia at Perth, and selectors have that option again with Mitchell Starc,Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings and Josh Hazlewood all picked in the squad.
Siddle said Johnson had fitted back in into the side wellafter 12 months out of test cricket.
"We've spent a lot of time together and played a lot ofcricket together so it's nice to have him back around the group," Siddlesaid. "My (Victoria) teammate John Hastings and young Josh Hazlewood isback in the group - so it's a good group of guys."