Siddle set to resume on fourth day

Peter Siddle's back spasms were a rare piece of bad news for Australia as they continued to march towards victory in the first trans-Tasman Test.

Siddle delivered the 30th over of New Zealand's second innings, also the final over before tea on day three of the Basin Reserve clash in Wellington.

The 31-year-old, who also dealt with back spams in Australia earlier this summer, failed to return to the attack in Sunday's final session.

However, Australia's Bupa Support Team medical staff expect Siddle will be fit and firing in Wellington on Monday.

"It"s a bit of a back spasm and they're never nice. We've got some good medicos who will look after him tonight," Adam Voges said after day three.

"We're hopeful he'll be out there tomorrow. He's got very good skills with the reverse-swinging ball so hopefully we'll see him out there tomorrow."

Siddle's ability to find reverse swing could be important, with Voges telling Optus Sport's Across the Ditch he expected it to play a bigger role on Monday.

"The pitch is starting to become a lot more abrasive, it's a lot drier now," Voges told Across the Ditch hosts Damien Fleming and Chris Rogers. 

"It's amazing how it has changed over a few days from the greentop we got greeted with to being quite dusty now. 

"We got it reverse swinging quite early and 17 overs until the new ball so hopefully we can take a couple of early wickets and make some inroads with that second new ball."

Voges also paid tribute to Siddle's efforts with the bat as the Victorian scored 49 in a 99-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

"Sidds was a beauty today. Everytime that they didn't have the helmet out there he thought that was great because there weren't going to bounce him," Voges said.

"I guess there was a couple of question marks about the length of our tail going into this game but I had a brilliant partnership with Sidds and all the other guys did their job.

"We put on 30-odd for the last wicket as well and they were important runs to keep putting scoreboard pressure on New Zealand when they came to bat the second time round." 

WATCH: Fleming and Rogers host Across the Ditch with Adam Voges

Cricket Australia's selectors will also be hoping Siddle's setback is indeed minor.

Australia's pace stocks have been severely stretched this summer, with the retirement of Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson followed by Mitchell Starc's ankle surgery.

Pat Cummins is targeting a mid-year return to cricket from a back stress injury while Nathan Coulter-Nile is still on the comeback trail.

James Pattinson, who has battled shin soreness this summer, wasn't considered for the two-Test series opener at the Basin because of his lack of match fitness.

Siddle showed his value to the attack on day one, snaring three wickets including the key scalp of Kane Williamson.

The Victorian's control also allowed Josh Hazlewood to attack from the other end.

"He's done a great job, not only this Test but throughout his whole career of just drying up one end," Hazlewood said after day one.

"Building those dots and that pressure, which obviously ends in wickets eventually. He was outstanding again."

Siddle missed the SCG Test last month because of an ankle injury, which also prevented him from taking part in the KFC Big Bash League.

He was restricted by back spasms in the inaugural day-night Test at Adelaide Oval but was passed fit and played the following Tests in Hobart and Melbourne.