Peter Siddle has opened up about recently striking a NSW batsman on the helmet with a bouncer, saying it dredged up memories of Phillip Hughes' tragic death.
NSW opener Daniel Hughes, who is no relation to his namesake, was forced to retire hurt with concussion during the one-day cup elimination final at Drummoyne Oval on October 21.
Siddle was visibly distressed after inflicting the blow.
It was the first time the veteran paceman had struck a batsman on the helmet since Hughes died in 2014, having been hit on the back of the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match.
"It's always going to affect us no matter what happens. It's just how it's going to be," Siddle said ahead of the first Test, which starts on Thursday.
"Hughesy was one of my best mates, so to then see something similar happening in a game - it sort of affected me a bit through that match.
"I still continued to bowl, I felt fine but for the rest of that night it was just a little bit of a shock.
"We have to deal with it... It's going to happen."
Siddle has used short-pitched bowling throughout his 61-Test career in an effort to unsettle and dismiss batsmen.
"It's a bit ugly to talk about now but it's still going to happen. It's part of the game and like I said, things that we just have to deal with," the Victorian said.
Siddle is expected to edge uncapped right-armer Joe Mennie to claim the third fast bowler's berth in Australia's XI for the three-Test series opener against South Africa.
The 31-year-old, who broke down in February and spent most of the year recovering from stress fractures in his back, last month doubted his own chances of playing at the WACA.
But he returned in the domestic one-day competition and delivered 26 overs in last week's opening round of the Sheffield Shield.
Siddle is convinced he'll be able to deliver long spells if required against the Proteas.
"A lot of it is mental and willpower," he said.
"The adrenaline kicks in and you're bowling for Australia, you're in a Test match ... it kicks you on."
Siddle could see the upside of his enforced break from the game, noting it was his first full pre-season in four or five years.
