Siddle tipped for surprise Perth recall

Returning paceman Peter Siddle could come into calculations for the first Commonwealth Bank Test against South Africa, according to his state captain Matthew Wade.

Siddle has showed strong signs in the three matches he's played in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup this month, his first hit-out since overcoming ankle and back injuries during the winter.

The 31-year-old has himself conceded during the tournament that he was unlikely to be ready in time for the first of three Tests against the Proteas, starting on November 3, but Wade says his charge is bowling well enough to return to the big time.

The Bushrangers skipper said the star quick was likely to feature in their Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania next week, which comes just a matter of days before the Test at the WACA Ground.

"He's been terrific, Sidds," Wade said after the right-armer finished with 1-39 from 10 overs against NSW Blues on Friday night.

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"He'll play the Shield game for us, hopefully, and hopefully play the first Test to be honest. I think that'll be his lead-in.

"If he gets through the Shield game, I think he'll be available for the first Test.

"I think he's pretty keen to play (the Shield game) and I think the medical staff are close to giving him the OK. Hopefully we hear a final answer on that but I think it's pretty close to being ticked off.

"Fingers crossed all goes well for him and everything lines up, but he's been bowling as well as I've seen him bowl for a period of time."

Siddle has displayed impressive rhythm and pace in the 28 overs he's bowled during the Matador Cup, with an unfortunate incident during Friday night's match underlining the speed with which he's been bowling.

Siddle was understandably visibly shaken when a short ball lifted sharply and struck Blues opener Daniel Hughes on the helmet, with the left-hander later ruled out of the rest of the game due to concussion.

The Victorian bowled on and was his side's standout performer in a disappointing five-wicket defeat.

Last week, Siddle said he had exceeded his own expectations in his comeback but was far from bullish when discussing his chances for the first Test.

"It just comes down to how much cricket I can play before that first Test, more so than how I'm feeling," he said.

"It's been a good warm-up with the one-day games to be able to get a couple of spells out.

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"It's about playing long-form cricket and getting two, three, four spells in a day and then having to back up the next day and go again in the second innings.

"Whether they (selectors) take me along to that first Test or I just keep working and get ready to play a part hopefully somewhere throughout the summer, we'll know more in the next couple of weeks."

With Siddle talking down his own chances, Tasmania's Jackson Bird appeared to be the standout candidate to partner Blues quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood at the WACA.

Siddle was a late inclusion for Friday's match against the Blues after allrounder John Hastings was ruled out for up to six weeks with a broken finger.