All eyes may be on James Pattinson ahead of the second trans-Tasman Test in Hobart starting on Friday.
Especially after emerging as Australia's great fast bowling hope with fellow tearaway Pat Cummins expected to miss most of this summer with a serious heel injury.
But the name on Australian captain Michael Clarke's lips ahead of the Bellerive clash with New Zealand was Peter Siddle.
The veteran quick was at risk of being cut ahead of the opener in Brisbane - but injuries ensured he walked out at the Gabba as Australia's new spearhead.
Yet Pattinson grabbed all the headlines with a man-of-the-match performance in the nine-wicket win.
At one stage Pattinson was on a hat-trick as he took three wickets in four balls to eventually finish with 5 for 27 in his first Test.
Dandenong club-mate Siddle's stats were not as impressive.
Indeed his Gabba match haul of 3 for 101 appeared to extend a lean run.
Since the Ashes Gabba Test last year, Siddle has taken 19 wickets at 43.5.
In all Siddle has 85 wickets at 32.62 from 26 Tests.
However, Clarke all but credited Siddle for Pattinson's amazing debut haul - and believed it was only a matter of time before the 27-year-old cashed in himself.
"He probably deserves more wickets of late - his performance in the first Test was outstanding," Clarke said.
"He played a big part in James Pattinson getting five-for.
"Without the guy at the other end doing the hard work very rarely do you have success as a bowler."
The likely return of the man considered Australia's No.1 strike bowler - Ryan Harris - from a hip complaint for the Boxing Day Test against India will ensure the spotlight again falls on the attack in Hobart.
Siddle's figures will be scrutinised on a Bellerive deck that will be lively at first before becoming more benign.
If Harris returns, either Siddle or rookie quick Mitchell Starc - who also made his debut in Brisbane - will have to go.
But Clarke did not believe Siddle should be the man under the pump to perform.
"I think Sids has been a very good bowler for us of late - personally he hasn't got the rewards that he deserves," he said.
"But if he keeps doing the things that he is doing it is only around the corner."
Showers are predicted for the opening day of the Test, with both sides expected to bowl first on a green deck if they win the toss.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, australia First posted December 09, 2011 08:52:38
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