Peter Siddle has been reliable on return, grabbing his 200th Test wicket and bowling in a fashion that suggests he'll stay in Australia's attack for some time yet.
Siddle celebrated his Test recall with the scalps of Ross Taylor and Doug Bracewell on Friday at Adelaide Oval.
In doing so, he equalled the career haul of iconic tearaway Jeff Thomson and became the 15th Australian to reach the 200-wicket mark.
Such milestones seemed all but impossible over the past 12 months.
Since playing the corresponding fixture at Adelaide Oval last year, Siddle has largely been on drinks duty for the national side.
The vegan has rarely let any frustration show during the selection snubs.
"It gives you too much stress if you worry about little things like that," Siddle said earlier this week.
"You can't prepare as well as you want to.
"That's the thing with me - I am always positive, laid back."
Australian players rushed to Siddle when Joe Burns held a catch to dismiss Bracewell, well aware of how hard he had worked over the past year.
The Victorian was dropped for Josh Hazlewood after Australia's emotional win over India in 2014 at Adelaide Oval.
He was sent back to the Sheffield Shield, then cut from Cricket Australia's contract list.
The end seemed nigh.
"Getting to a Shield final was a great way to cap off a year after the disappointment," Siddle insisted.
The 30-year-old toured the West Indies and England this year but didn't look like playing a Test until the Ashes finale.
Even then, selectors were leaning towards replacing Hazlewood with Pat Cummins.
Siddle made the most of the opportunity, grabbing six wickets in that 5th Test, but admitting he feared his career was over.
Despite the outstanding performance, he was overlooked for the first and second Tests.
Siddle admitted he was surprised to be named 12th man in Brisbane but was determined to bowl his way back into the Test side.
"That opportunity in England gave me that little bit of confidence that I can come in and perform," Siddle said.
Mitchell Johnson's retirement ensured Siddle was given a chance to do exactly that.
He bowled with great patience - something Australia largely lacked in the first and second Tests against New Zealand.
Siddle finished with five maidens and 80 dot balls on Friday - more than any of his teammates.
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