Sydney, Dec 15 : There is no doubt about Peter Siddle, the 24-year-old fast bowler from Traralgon in country Victoria, is on the verge of completing the ascent from a net bowler to Australia's great pace hope in the eagerly anticipated South Africa series.

Siddle recalls skirmishing with South Africa as a net bowler three summers ago, but it is the wound above the eyebrow of WA batsman Liam Davis that hints best at the damage he could inflict if he is unleashed on a WACA Ground pitch against the Proteas.

"I guess if you can get them out that way, it's as good as any," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Siddle, as saying.

Siddle will compete with all-rounder Shane Watson for a spot in the starting XI, which would build on his impressive debut when Clark succumbed to the same elbow problem in Mohali in October.

In Siddle's favour is the damage he did to Davis in a Sheffield Shield game three weeks ago, when a short-pitched delivery climbed off the WACA Ground surface, crashed through the grill of the opener's helmet and struck him above the eye.

The blow was so fierce that Davis still has blurred vision, and was forced to withdraw from the Shield game starting at the MCG today.

"It was my first bowl back in Australia after India and the wicket was real fast and bouncy, I really enjoyed it," said Siddle, who took 2-71 in the first innings of that match but went wicketless in the second.

"I was a net bowler when South Africa was out here last time. So, I have bowled to a few of their batsmen. I can't remember much about it, but I think I got a couple of wickets, he added. (ANI)