Victorian fast bowler Peter Siddle is praying his recent shoulder problems are well and truly behind him as he prepares for Australia's tour of India next month.
Still pinching himself a week after earning a call-up to the 15-man squad, the 23-year-old was all smiles as he faced the media just days before departing for the four-Test series which begins in Bangalore on October 9.
Siddle was one of four newcomers named in the 15-man squad last Friday alongside Tasmanian off-spinner Jason Krejza, New South Wales quick Doug Bollinger and Bushrangers team-mate Bryce McGain.
Long regarded as one of Australia's most promising youngsters - he once took 11-47 in a state under-17 match - Siddle has been plagued by shoulder problems that have curtailed his career to just 11 first-class matches.
That he has captured 41 wickets at 21.65 in that time shows why selectors have kept faith in him.
Siddle - nicknamed 'Vicious' or 'Dermie', after former Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton because of his blond tips - had his second shoulder reconstruction after Victoria's Pura Cup final loss to NSW in March after picking up match figures of 9-167.
"It's all coming along real quickly now, it's feeling great," he said on Friday. "I'm just getting ready to get right into cricket now. I can't wait."
Siddle realises he will most likely be watching from the dressing rooms as Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark lead the Australian bowling attack but says just being selected in the squad is a bonus.
"Obviously the main aim is to get over there and hopefully get my first Test. But … we've got a great bowling attack. If they're going well they're not going to change the side," Siddle said.
"I'm just going to do my best in the nets and try my hardest, keep fit and if the opportunity comes up it's going to be a great chance. If it doesn't come up, there's obviously a lot of time down the track to hopefully get on another tour and hopefully wear the baggy green."
Siddle recently returned from India where he was on duty with Australia A. Rain in the three one-day matches meant he had little chance to bowl but he said the experience on Indian pitches would hold him in good stead for the future.
Growing up in Morwell in country Victoria, Siddle - who counts among his cricketing heroes Glenn McGrath and Allan Donald - was a competitive junior woodchopper before giving it away to follow his cricketing dreams.
"(Woodchopping) is probably a bit too dangerous when you want to pursue other sports," he said with a smile.
Meanwhile, former Victoria paceman Dirk Nannes has captured career-best figures with 6-32 for English county side Middlesex.
Nannes ripped through the Worcestershire line-up to spark a dramatic second-innings batting collapse which saw it reduced from 2-62 to 122 all out.
Middlesex needs just 67 runs for victory when play resumes on the third day.
Nannes' previous best was 4-49 for Victoria against NSW at the MCG in 2007/08.