Siddle, Santner firm as starters

Veteran quick Peter Siddle appears set to earn his second Test recall of 2015, while New Zealand look likely to hand a debut to young spinning allrounder Mitchell Santner for the historic day-night Test in Adelaide today.

Siddle, who took six wickets in the fifth Ashes Test in August and was 12th man in Brisbane and Perth, was the front-runner to replace the retired Mitchell Johnson ahead of fellow Victorian James Pattinson, who was called up to the 13-man squad after the second Test at the WACA Ground.

The 30-year-old quick now shapes as the third member of Australia's pace attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with the latter initially considered at risk of missing this Adelaide Oval clash due to high recent bowling loads.

Hazlewood could instead be rested for the West Indies Test opener in Hobart in a fortnight, paving the way for Pattinson to return for his first outing in Baggy Green since February 2014 in South Africa. 

WATCH: Pattinson back with a fresh perspective

At yesterday's captain's press conference, Smith was cagey when asked about the make-up of his fast-bowling attack after revealing that an extra covering of grass on the Adelaide Oval wicket had swayed the selectors' decision to release spinner Steve O'Keefe back to Sheffield Shield cricket.

He did however say that Hazlewood had "bowled beautifully" in the nets in the lead-up to this inaugural pink ball Test match.

Blacks Caps captain Brendon McCullum, meanwhile, indicated yesterday that a shift in team balance was likely for what is a must-win clash for the tourists, and that appears set to come in the form of 23-year-old Santner replacing paceman Matt Henry. 

WATCH: Australia, New Zealand teams discussed

The Hamilton product has 25 wickets at 57 in his 22 first-class matches and is considered a batting allrounder, but impressed with four wickets against a Western Australia XI in a pink-ball warm-up clash in Perth last weekend.

Santner was heavily involved in New Zealand's training session last night and looks likely to slot in at either No.6 or No.7 in the batting order.

His inclusion would leave the trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell to carry the fast-bowling burden.

Boult again appeared untroubled through his final bowling session before today's Test, and his performance will be crucial to New Zealand's hopes as they look to continue their two-and-a-half year unbeaten series run.

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson admitted his star left-armer has been below his best throughout the series to date.

"Yeah and I think that's been a little bit of coming back from injury and getting that confidence," Hesson said.

"If he's able to be fit for this, he'll know that he will he right from a physical point of view, so hopefully he can push a little bit harder."