Siddle wants his Baggy Green back

After three months spent treating back and ankle problems, Peter Siddle is as committed and confident as he's ever been about forcing his way back into Australia's Test XI.

Siddle missed Australia's most recent Test – in New Zealand in February – after back stress fractures got the better of him, ruling him out of the upcoming Sri Lanka tour and, given the wealth of fast-bowling talent around the country, casting some doubt over his future in Baggy Green.

Siddle however, is certainly not among the doubters.

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The 31-year-old, who retained his Cricket Australia contract in April, has fought off both injury and challengers for his position many times over the years, enhancing his reputation as one of the most durable quicks of his generation in the process.

Now, having returned to fitness training, he sees the path back to the national side clearly.

"I know when I'm fully fit that I'm probably going to be getting picked," Siddle told News Ltd. "When I'm at my best, I know I'm one of the better bowlers in the country and that's all I can work at.

"I'm always a confident person. I'm not too worried about what's going on outside.

"I'm old enough now and I've played enough cricket with the experience I have, (to know) the cricket side of things will be all right."

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During the enforced layoff, Siddle also had surgery on a nagging issue with his left ankle.

The maintenance has left him well equipped for another crack at Test cricket, after a year spent in and out of the side; he played one Test in the 2015 Ashes, one against New Zealand in the Australia-based series, another two against West Indies, and one more against the Black Caps on their home turf.

The last of those was when the ankle and back problems struck most severely.  

"I started to struggle a bit in the second innings," he said. "Because I was probably compensating the front foot with the ankle, I hurt my back.

"You never want to be injured, but it's a blessing in a way that I could get both (injuries treated).

"I could get the left ankle looked at. Every time I banged down it was sore.

"Nothing was showing up (on scans) and so you just keep playing. I knew it wasn’t quite right, but you never want to give up an opportunity to play for Australia."

The injuries have had other silver linings, too.

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The Victorian added that it's "about five years" since he's done a proper pre-season, and that, combined with his alcohol abstinence (four years) and vegan diet have him in good shape to handle the next generation of quicks biting at his heels.

Having debuted in 2008, and with 61 Tests and 208 wickets to his name, Siddle is more experienced in the five-day format than any other Australian currently playing.

And he believes it's the way in which he's learned to look after his body that will allow him to add to those caps.

"I was carrying a bit too much (weight) – I didn't have as much muscle and I wasn't as strong," he added.

"I've converted that and turned it all around to be a lot more of a fine-tuned athlete.

"You need to try to stay ahead of the guys who are younger and trying to come up."