The man who can help Mitch emulate Mitch

Former Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris believes Peter Siddle's inclusion in Australia's squad for the first Test against South Africa could pave the way for Mitchell Starc to emulate Mitchell Johnson's fearsome 2013-14 Ashes role.

Siddle impressed in the three Matador BBQs One-Day Cup matches he played this month after recovering from the ankle and back injuries that hindered him over the winter, and will line up for Victoria in their Sheffield Shield opener on Tuesday.

Harris believes, if fit, the 31-year-old's steady presence alongside Josh Hazlewood would allow Starc to focus on bowling flat-out in short spells, like Johnson did in his 37-wicket Ashes demolition three summers ago.

"I'd love to see Siddle get picked," Harris told Melbourne radio station SEN. "He should have played more Test matches in the Ashes last year and he missed a bit of the summer last year.

"He gives the team that bit of continuity, he's that guy who can bowl lots of balls in the same spot and build pressure.

"If he does that and Hazlewood does that, it allows Starc to try and bowl as fast as he can to scare a couple of guys, that's what Mitch Johnson was really good at.

"So I'd love to see ‘Sidds' out there, question is whether he's bowled enough."

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Siddle, who formed a devastating pace attack with Harris and Johnson in their 2013-14 Ashes triumph, had conceded earlier in the tournament he was unlikely to be ready for the first Test against the Proteas at the WACA, which begins November 3.

But on Friday, his state captain Matthew Wade said if he gets through Victoria's Shield opener against Tasmania unscathed, Siddle would be in line for an international return ahead of schedule.

Bushrangers coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the right-armer would be on Cricket Australia-mandated bowling restrictions for the day-night Shield clash.

Harris also backed fellow Queenslanders Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja to return to Australia's Test line-up after the top-order pair were dropped for the final Test of the Sri Lanka tour.

And with the Bulls facing a near full-strength NSW side in their Shield match at the Gabba, runs against an attack featuring both Hazlewood and Starc could be timely.

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"I'd like to see Burns have another crack, I'm probably a bit biased being a Queenslander but I'd like to see him have another go, Khawaja too," Harris said.

"For them to be left out in Sri Lanka was a bit harsh, from the outside in it looked like they were made to be scapegoats a bit when no-one was scoring runs, so I'd like to see them have another go.

"But I don't know if Burns has done enough, he needs a big game in the Shield in Brisbane but the problem is he's got Starc and Hazlewood to face.

"Which will be a good challenge for him because he'll know if he's in good form."

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Harris, who bowled Australia to a thrilling fifth-day victory in the series-deciding third Test against South Africa in 2014, said the Proteas' strong record in Australia will give them confidence ahead of their three-Test tour.

"They are in good form and on their last two tours out here they won," the 37-year-old said. "They enjoy touring here and it's similar conditions to what they have in South Africa.

"(They have) some very good players. No AB (de Villiers) is a big loss but they're captained by Faf (du Plessis) who did a great job in the (recent one-day international series against Australia).

"One for me is (Quinton) de Kock who can destroy a game and score very quickly. He'll bat probably six or seven and it's a good thing to have down the order if they're in trouble or need to score quick runs.

"They're full of talent, they've got the quicks. Rabada is genuinely quick, (and) Steyn, Morkel, Philander – all-round they're a very good side and they know the conditions very well."