Peter Siddle is refusing to kick stones following his baggy green axing, declaring his hunger to become the 15th Australian to join the 200 Test wicket club.
Siddle was hoping to make a statement on day one of Victoria's Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at the SCG on Friday however bad weather put a spoke in his wheel.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, NSW were 0-27 at stumps with Ed Cowan on 20 and Ryan Carters 5 after just 9.5 overs.
Siddle was economical in his five-over spell, finishing the day with 0-10. He said he wanted to get as many overs and wickets under his belt as possible in a bid to prove himself ready to go should be needed for next week's second Test at the WACA.
Hazlewood was preferred over Siddle, despite the 30-year-old veteran taking 6-67 in his last Test, against England at The Oval in August.
Following the completion of his Shield duties with the Bushrangers, he will fly to Western Australia to link up with the Australian squad.
Yet he finds himself in a state of uncertainty, not knowing when his next national call up will come with Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood ahead of him.
His haul in this year's final Ashes match took his Test tally to 198, just two behind Jeff Thomson, and says he likes to believe he still has plenty to offer.
"Playing that last Test and showing everyone that after sitting out for so long and coming off the back of little cricket and being able to perform like that, I showed when needed and when my opportunity comes that I'll be able to take it," Siddle said.
"I know my opportunity will come. When that does, I don't know. But I'll make sure I'm fit and ready and up for the challenge."
Australian selector Mark Waugh, who watched on from the SCG stands, said Siddle was not far off being picked for Brisbane and still in coach Darren Lehmann's plans.
"He was unlucky not to play but once again you can only pick 11 players," Waugh said.
"He bowled well in the last Test but he's got three pretty good fast bowlers in front of him."
THE 200 CLUB
Australian bowlers to have taken 200-plus Test wickets
* Shane Warne - 708 wickets
* Glenn McGrath - 563
* Dennis Lillee - 355
* Brett Lee - 310
* Mitchell Johnson - 308
* Craig McDermott - 291
* Jason Gillespie - 259
* Richie Benaud - 248
* Graham McKenie - 246
* Ray Lindwall - 228
* Clarrie Grimmet - 216
* Merv Hughes - 212
* Stuart MacGill - 208
* Jeff Thomson - 200
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