James Pattinson is set to return to Australia's attack when they chase the No.1 Test ranking in Christchurch, with Peter Siddle ruled out of the second trans-Tasman Test.
Cricket Australia has confirmed Siddle will miss the side's clash with New Zealand at Hagley Oval, which starts on Saturday.
Siddle injured his back during the first Test, when Australia cruised to victory by an innings and 52 runs in Wellington.
"Peter experienced some discomfort in his back during the first Test in Wellington and has not recovered sufficiently enough to play the Test," team physio David Beakley said.
"At this stage the plan is for him to stay with the squad in Christchurch for the remainder of the tour before returning to Melbourne for further investigation."
It means either Pattinson or uncapped South Australian Chadd Sayers will be brought into Australia's XI for their next match, which the tourists must win or draw to top the International Cricket Council's rankings.
The express paceman will be the selectors' choice, provided Pattinson can convince Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann that he is ready for the rigours of Test cricket.
However, selectors and team medical staff harboured doubts about his lack of match fitness.
"Pretty close (to being ready for Test cricket). As long as he gets through the main training session," coach Lehmann said earlier this week.
Thursday's session will be the only chance for Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird to go full tilt in the nets before the second Test starts.
Pattinson has only bowled 21.3 overs in the Sheffield Shield since the SCG Test, having sat out the Big Bash League because of sore shins.
The 25-year-old has dealt with countless injury setbacks since making his Test debut in 2011, when he dismissed Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill in a five-wicket haul at the Gabba.
"We've got to make sure his leg's good and ready to go ... we have to make sure he's 100 per cent before he gets a crack," bowling coach Craig McDermott said a week ago.
As has been the case over the past year, Siddle's future in the Test side will again be up for debate.
The 31-year-old grabbed the key wicket of Williamson in NZ's opening-hour collapse of 5-34 at the Basin Reserve, handing Australia the early ascendancy.
However, the most experienced member of the current squad was down on pace and has suffered an injury in three of his past four Tests.
The Victorian was restricted by back spasms in Wellington and the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide, while he hurt his ankle during the Boxing Day Test.
Share
