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New Zealand Tests the aim for Siddle

The Australia quick is aiming to be fit for the tour of New Zealand next month

Australia paceman Peter Siddle is hoping to prove his fitness in the Sheffield Shield ahead of the two-match Test series in New Zealand next month.

Siddle has been nursing a sore ankle since he helped Australia retain the Frank Worrell Trophy during the Boxing Day Test against the West Indies last month and will step up his rehabilitation this week in an attempt to be ready for the first Test against the Kiwis in Wellington starting on February 12.

The 31-year-old is aiming to start bowling at full pace in the nets this week, before turning out at the MCG for Victoria in their Shield game against Tasmania that commences on February 3.

"My ankle is feeling good after a little bit of a rest and I plan to have my first bowl tomorrow," Siddle told cricket.com.au following a promotional appearance at the Matador BBQs Face a Grilling at the ’G competition on Sunday.

"The plan is to hold back from the Big Bash with the Renegades and be saved for that Shield game at the start of February.

"If everything goes to plan I will get through that well and I can get over to New Zealand and do well over there."

Australia defeated New Zealand 2-0 in the three-Test series on home soil last year, but Siddle isn't expecting it to be quite as easy when the two fierce rivals do battle across the Tasman next month.

Siddle thinks the Kiwis might prepare pitches that suit their impressive fast bowling stocks, although he is hopeful that this tactic might backfire and play into Australia's hands.

"We have shown we can get the job done in all types of conditions and I think it will be no different over there," he said. 

WATCH: Siddle in action at the Boxing Day Test

"We will need to bat well, try and bat for as long as we can and build some big scores like we did in Australia. 

"I think it is going to be suited to how they think they can win Test matches, which should mean there is a little bit in the wicket and hopefully it will swing around for us too.

"That’s probably going to be their best opportunity and we are going to have to prepare for that.

"But we have still got to plan well and execute and I think we have got a good enough bowling attack to do that."

And Siddle said it would be no surprise if Victorian teammate Scott Boland continued his emphatic recent rise and joined him on the plane for the Qantas Tour of New Zealand.

"His form for Victoria has been outstanding and it is no surprise he got his opportunity," Siddle said. 

WATCH: Boland bags first ODI wicket

"His bowling looks better than his stats do at the moment and he is definitely a player to watch in the future."