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Peter Siddle has been named in Australia's 13-man Test squad for the Boxing Day Test as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood but he's unlikely to play.
Peter Siddle will need a Christmas miracle to play in the Boxing Day Test despite being added to the squad as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood.
Coach Justin Langer revealed James Pattinson is the favourite to replace Hazlewood (hamstring) in the XI, with Michael Neser also a chance to play if Australia opt for four quicks against NZ at the MCG.
Langer has copped some criticism since first floating the idea of including Siddle in Australia's squad a few days ago.
Test legend Shane Warne said it would be taking a step backwards, while Geoff Lawson claimed it was an example of Langer picking his favourites.
Langer did his best to take the criticism in his stride.
"It's not my style to get personal. I'll just take it on the chin. It's part of the job unfortunately," he said.
"Everyone's got a different opinion on it. That's OK.
"I don't think we should discriminate against Peter Siddle because of his age.
"We're all about winning this Test series and we believe - if required - he'd be the person to help us do that."
But the 35-year-old's odds of a shock 68th Test appearance are slim, with Langer saying it would take a couple of injuries for him to get a look in.
In his favour, Siddle has an excellent Test record at the MCG, snaring 26 wickets at an average of 24.5 over seven appearances.
"Nes and Patto have been a part of the squad so I'm probably sitting behind those two," Siddle told reporters from Adelaide where he has joined up with BBL side, the Strikers.
"(But) my record at home probably does help me a little bit.
"We'll wait and see what the wicket looks like in the lead up and we'll go from there.
"There's obviously a lot of different ways you could pick this next line-up."
Langer was cryptic when asked if he was seriously considering unleashing four pacemen.
"I might have just been giving New Zealand something to think about, mightn't I?" he said with a smile.
NZ have called up rookie quick Kyle Jamieson as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson (calf) for the final two Tests against Australia.
But with fit-again paceman Trent Boult set to replace Ferguson for Melbourne, Jamieson is unlikely to be needed just yet.
What sort of MCG pitch awaits both teams is a huge talking point after the recent abandoned match between WA and Victoria.
Test matches at the venue have been boring bat-athons in recent years, but Langer is hopeful a good pitch will be served up.
"Obviously they pushed the envelope a little bit too much in the last game against Western Australia," Langer said.
"But the two Shield games leading up to that were really good for cricket.
"We're really hopeful it'll be a good surface."