Australia paceman Peter Siddle believes the strong competition among the bowlers for the final three spots in the squad for the first Ashes Test is good for the team.
After an impressive performance against Sussex, Siddle appears certain to spearhead the attack with Mitchell Johnson, leaving veteran pair Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, Tasmanian quick Ben Hilfenhaus and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz locked in a four-way battle for the remaining two spots.
Coach Tim Nielsen was full of praise for the Victorian quick and said he was a 'lock' to play in the first Test in Cardiff on July 8, but Siddle knows chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch will have a tough task confronting him.
"I think Andrew Hilditch gets in today and obviously it's got to be cut down," Siddle said on Sunday.
"It's going to be tough, but everyone is looking fit and strong and bowling well."
"The competition is good for the team, it makes everyone try that little bit harder and put in that little bit extra so it's great for the team."
Siddle, who returned the impressive figures of 3-68 from 30 overs in Australia's second innings against Sussex, was happy to get back into the groove.
"Personally it was a great opportunity to get out there and get a few overs under my belt and get back into the longer format of the game," he said.
"It was good out there, I got 30 overs out. Felt comfortable and got some good rhythm and I'm just looking forward to this next tour match."
Australia's next VB Tour of England match is against an England Lions side in Worcester starting on Wednesday and Siddle believes the team chosen will be very similar to that of the side for the first Test.
"There's only 11 playing this match and it's going to be tight but hopefully this side will be similar to the first Test side," he said.
"This game will be important for the make-up of the first Test, so blokes will be disappointed if they miss out, but hopefully those that are selected perform well and push their case for the first Test."
Siddle also hit back at reports that Australia can't win because it lacks a first-class spinner and has full confidence in the bowling attack.
"I think it's just an English way of getting at us a bit, saying that we're a bit weak with the spin, but Hauritz in the second innings bowled superbly and Marcus North also bowled well so I think it's just them trying to talk themselves up, having those three spinners in their squad," he added.
"We've got the quicks there to back up the few spin options and I'm sure our bowling attack will be fine on those wickets."
