Big quick James Pattinson has been confirmed as the one change to Australia's side for the second test against New Zealand starting at Hagley Oval tomorrow.
Veteran seamer Siddle was ruled out yesterday after suffering back problems in their crunching innings and 52-run win at the Basin Reserve in the first test.
Fellow Victorian Pattinson, taller and faster, was expected to be his replacement, and captain Steve Smith likes what he's seen from Pattinson this week.
"Patto wasn't right for the first test and has been working hard since. We're all confident he'll get through this next test and hopefully he can have a big impact," Smith said today.
"It looks like the conditions are going to suit him nicely."
"Josh been really impressive for quite a while now he's a class bowler. For Jackson is about keeping it simple and hitting a good area and letting ball do something off a good length."
Smith said the very green Hagley Oval pitch was wet and he was unsure how quickly it would dry out.
He reflected on how well his bowlers did in the first test win, which gives him confidence in their ability to damage New Zealand again in the second test.
"I thought the guys did a really good job.
"(In the second innings) we were able to get the ball going reverse and as a batsman you know how hard it is to start against a ball reversing.
"They were able to bowl good areas and build pressure, which brought wickets. That's the kind of bowling we need on wickets when they're a bit flatter."
Smith has high praise for McCullum
Smith said he wasn't surprised by rival skipper Brendon McCullum winning a leadership award at last night's Halberg Awards in Auckland.
"I think he's been a terrific leader for New Zealand. I guess any captain wants to change the way their team plays for the better.
"I think he's certainly done that for New Zealand and I think he's going to be missed by the New Zealand cricket team."
The wet Hagley Oval pitch today isn't a concern for the Australian skipper.
"For me, it's just about making sure our batsmen adapt to the conditions.
"We know what we're likely to face. We knew that before we came over here and for us it's about making sure we sum up the conditions quickly, be able to get through those tough periods."
Smith pointed out batting would get easier the longer you survive in awkward conditions.
"I thought Usman Khawaja and Adam Voges did that really well in the last test match.
Hopefully a few of the other guys can step up and do it this game."
Australia will go No 1 in the test rankings as long as they do not lose the second test.