Veteran paceman Peter Siddle says he's not concerned about his recent pace drop, claiming he just needs more miles under his belt in order to be able to maintain his speed for longer.
Siddle's pace gradually slowed during the first Test at the WACA Ground. After starting off in the mid 130s, he faded to the high 120s as the match wore on.
The drop was most noticeable when the temperature hit 37 degrees on Saturday.
Selectors will stick with the same 12-man squad for the second Test in Hobart but Siddle could be edged out by Joe Mennie in the final XI.
Mennie is no pace ace himself.
But given Siddle bowled for four consecutive days in Perth plus only recently returned from a stress fracture in his back and ankle surgery, selectors may opt for the fresher and more match-hardened Mennie.
Siddle concedes he's still not back to peak fitness following his lengthy layoff.
"I probably haven't played as much as I would have liked but I felt good," Siddle said after day four, with Australia struggling at 4-169 in pursuit of 539 for victory.
"It was a bit tiring to be out there but that's part of the game.
"When I'm feeling fully fit and have got some miles in the legs, that will all come together.
"It's just about finding some rhythm and that will get there."
Siddle bowled a total of 38 overs during the first Test, returning 1-36 and 2-62.
The 31-year-old admitted he was a tad "stiff and sore" as he headed to lunch on day four.
Mennie has played two ODIs for Australia but is yet to make his Test debut.
The 27-year-old impressed at training in the lead-up to the first Test and returned 2-16 and 1-55 for South Australia in their crushing Sheffield Shield win over Tasmania in Adelaide.
Mennie was the leading Shield wicket-taker last summer with 51 scalps at 21 and selectors are keen to see how he'll fare.
