Siddle primed for 'rough and rugged' Aussie clash

Test hopeful Peter Siddle has lifted the lid on the competitive build-up to the eagerly-anticipated all-Australia warm-up clash, beginning tonight in Southampton.

Siddle, who will line up for the 'Haddin XII' against the 'Hick XII' in the four-day showdown, has confirmed that players have been told in no uncertain terms that places are up for grabs in what is expected to be a 16 or 17-man Ashes squad, to be selected at the conclusion of the match.

"We had the chat when we first turned up, 'JL' (coach Justin Langer) goes, ''Cracker' (selector Trevor Hohns) and I will speak to the guys at the end of day four, and you'll either be in a good mood or a bad mood'," Siddle told RSN radio.

"It's not everything, this game – it's not the end of the world if you don't quite do as well – but I think it is down to one last crack before selection.

"It's like being a young kid again and getting told at the end of the game if you're in or out.

"I think if you perform well here, you're definitely in with a good shot at being part of the series."

Last Friday night's split of the 25-man squad into two groups of 12 (minus Usman Khawaja, who is continuing his rehab from a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit for the first Test) has been happily adopted by the players in an overall sense as they buy into coach Langer's wish that this practice match be as fiercely contested as a genuine first-class fixture.

"We've had our own training days as individual sides so that's been good fun, and to be fair there hasn't been a lot of spending time with the opposition," Siddle said.

"It's a bit of a battle. The two teams have been having dinner with only their teammates, and going out and playing golf together, so I think it could be a rough and rugged few days out in the middle – I'm looking forward to getting out there and seeing what happens."

The veteran seamer, who is hopeful of being part of his fourth Ashes tour, appears to be vying with Jackson Bird and Michael Neser for the fifth pace spot in Australia's squad and will relish the chance of impressing Langer and Hohns on an Ageas Bowl wicket he believes will offer plenty for the eight quicks on show.

"It's looking a little bit green and it might have a bit of nip and pace in it," he said. "I don't think the boys are too keen in getting out there first thing and having a hit, so it could be win the toss and have a bowl. 

"I don't think I could be in a better position going into this game and hopefully another Ashes series than in the condition I'm in at the moment. I'm feeling good, (I’ve got) plenty of overs under my belt, and had good rhythm with the ball.

"So everything's prepared beautifully and hopefully I'm one of the ones getting that nice face-to-face chat with JL."

Australia's intra-squad match kicks off from 11am local time (8pm AEST) today, with live scores, highlights and news available on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Tour match: Hick XII v Haddin XII, July 23-26

First Test: Edgbaston, August 1-5

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: Lord's, August 14-18

Third Test: Headingley, August 22-26

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: Old Trafford, September 4-8

Fifth Test: The Oval, September 12-16