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Incumbent quicks should get the nod: Saker

Victoria coach says pace trio of Hazlewood, Pattinson and Siddle should get first crack at Black Caps in New Zealand

Victoria coach David Saker says Bushrangers pair Peter Siddle and James Pattinson should partner Josh Hazlewood in Australia's pace attack for the first Test against New Zealand.

The Dandenong duo will feature for Victoria in this week's Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania, starting tomorrow, in what will be their final hit-out before the first Trans-Tasman Test in Wellington from February 12.

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With Hazlewood owning one fast bowling position, there's a four-way race between Siddle, Pattinson, Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers for the remaining two spots.

But Saker believes his Victorian new-ball partners should get the nod in 10 days' time.

"I think Pattinson and Siddle are the two better bowlers in the group," Saker told reporters today. 

"If they come out and play well in this Shield game (against Tasmania at the MCG) there's no reason why they won't be considered for the New Zealand Test. 

"There's a lot of good bowlers around Australia.

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"I know we've got a lot of injuries around Australia at the moment, but Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers are two very good bowers as well.

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"The depth is sometimes tested but there's some really good bowlers out there."

Siddle, who missed the final Test against the West Indies with an ankle complaint, says his combination with Hazlewood and Pattinson has worked well in the past and expects that trend to continue if the trio are picked.

As a threesome, they led Australia to two comprehensive victories over the Windies in Hobart and Melbourne, despite Hazlewood going wicketless in the Boxing Day Test.

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"Myself, Patto (Pattinson) and Joshy (Hazlewood) worked well together when we had the opportunity," Siddle said.

"The conditions (in New Zealand) suit us all. We're all different types of bowlers with what we bring and what we put on the table for the team. 

"Over there, conditions are going to play a big part. 

"It's a good line-up, we work together and hopefully we can keep moving the team forward playing alongside each other."

Australia were exposed on seaming pitches throughout the back end of the Ashes, dismantled at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge by England's four-pronged pace attack led by Stuart Broad.

Siddle expects the wickets in Wellington and Christchurch (venue for the second Test) to mirror those Australia encountered in the Ashes, and in the historic day-night Test in November, which should give New Zealand's star swing bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee the best chance of knocking off the tourists' top order.

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"Looking at them, their best chances are to back their bowlers to try to out-bowl us," Siddle said. 

"I think that's going to be their key, that's their strength. 

"That's something I think they'll go with but you look at past series. 

"I know England, for example, they went over there and played on three flat decks and finished on a nil-all draw over the series. 

"You can't expect what they're going to do but we're thinking along those lines that they'll try to have it similar to Adelaide Oval where, if the bowlers can play a big part in the game, they can try to out-bowl us.

"Conditions (in New Zealand) could be similar to Adelaide, to English conditions which does come into my favour a little bit.

"It's the conditions I like, I've bowled well in them and it's about getting through this game first (against Tasmania) and look at it once we get over there."

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While velocity is normally part of Australia's selection criteria on home soil, Saker says it's not as vital on the seamer-friendly wickets found in across the Tasman and in the UK.

Saker, in his former role as England fast bowling coach, mentored the likes of Broad and James Anderson and says it is their skill and surgical accuracy, not searing speed, which makes them world-class. 

"It's well documented that pace is a big weapon (In Australia), but if you haven’t got pace you've got to have really good accuracy," Saker said. 

"Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad have done well over here because of their accuracy. 

"When you go abroad, especially in English conditions, all you have to do is be accurate. 

"That's the key over there, without a doubt. There are other places, even India – the key to bowling over there is to be accurate. 

"Pace bowling is a fine a line – if you're just looking pace, pace, pace you can get in trouble, you need someone who can swing the new-ball if you can. 

"With Mitchell Starc they've got someone with pace and does swing it, so that's the perfect combination."