Siddle will need to bowl in nets: Lehmann

Australia coach Darren Lehmann says nobody will be rested for the SCG Test but admits Peter Siddle is dealing with a 'very painful' ankle issue.

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann

Australia coach Darren Lehmann says nobody will be rested for the SCG Test. (AAP)

Darren Lehmann would have no problem with James Pattinson leading Australia's Test attack in Sydney should Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood both be sidelined.

Siddle and Hazlewood's hopes of playing in the third Test against West Indies will be more apparent on Friday.

Siddle is in more doubt than Hazlewood but there remains a chance both men won't be fit enough to play the series finale.

If both quicks are enforced omissions then Pattinson will be the team's spearhead in his third Test back after a long injury-enforced layoff.

"If that's the case, no problems at all," Lehmann said.

"If he ends up leading the attack then so be it."

Siddle is to have scans on an ankle complaint that he nursed in the series-clinching second Test win at the MCG, while Hazlewood's workloads have been worrying team management all summer.

"We won't rest. We always say we wont rest, especially in Test matches," Lehmann said.

Australia will train at the SCG on Friday and Saturday, with the final Test against West Indies to start on Sunday.

The side's pacemen never bowl the day before a Test but they're expected to roll the arm over on New Year's Day.

"He would have to bowl for a start and make sure he's all right," Lehmann said of Siddle's selection hopes.

"If he doesn't bowl it's going to be a struggle for him.

"We'll have a better idea on January 1, if not January 2 if he's going to be available or not."

Siddle reached the 140km/h mark in West Indies' first innings at the MCG but was more often in the mid-120s during their second dig.

The veteran paceman only sent down nine overs on day four as Australia posted a 177-run win to take a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series and retain the Frank Worrell trophy.

The Victorian managed two overs in Tuesday's morning session, having ducked off the field for treatment on his ankle.

"He went off the ground a few times and saw the doctor. So (it was) very painful," Lehmann said.

"You've just got to weigh that up and see how he pulls up.

"He's an important player but we've got to make sure he's ready to go."

Lehmann was also unsure whether Hazlewood would be able to back up and achieve his goal of playing all six Tests this summer.

"If he's fit, he'll play," Lehmann said.

"It's a short turnaround. The extra day certainly helps in getting them right for the Sydney Test.

"An extra day of rest will get him close to being right. It's just how he pulls up really.

"They've got to be fully fit to get through five days of Test match cricket."


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Source: AAP



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