Peter Siddle is holding out hope of a recall to Australia's star-studded fast bowling cartel as selectors look to strike a balance for a five-Test summer.
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His journey begins when he leads the Prime Minister's XI in a Twenty20 clash against Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval on Thursday night.
Siddle played three Tests during the Ashes series and looms as an option for Australian coach Justin Langer in the lead up to clashes with Pakistan and New Zealand.
Langer and captain Tim Paine have a wealth of fast-bowling options up their sleeve in Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser jostling for spots.
"That's all you can do, that's all I've done over the past two or three years," Siddle said.
"You've just got to keep performing, keep enjoying the game, and that's what I'm doing.
"I'm enjoying whoever I play for, whether it's Victoria this week or even the PM's, it's a great opportunity to kick start the Australian international summer.
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"That's where it starts. You put in a good performance you never know what's around the corner, not just for me but for everyone. It's an exciting time to be around Australian cricket.
"England was a great series and a great trip for me personally and for the group. It's just about being around and enjoying cricket.
"If I get opportunities through the summer, that would be great. That's what you're always striving for, to be representing Australia.
"We'll see how it goes, so fingers crossed. If not, I'll just keep working hard for Victoria and keep pushing to get good results there."
Officials are scrambling to lure more fans through the gates at the Prime Minister's XI fixture with little more than 1500 tickets sold days out from the game.
Cricket ACT chiefs maintain the fixture has a place on an increasingly crowded calendar but another potential low crowd suggests the goalposts have moved in Canberra.
Siddle has no doubt the match is worthy of a place on the schedule, saying it has re-emerged as a genuine Australian selection trial with Chris Lynn looking to force his way back into calculations for next year's Twenty20 World Cup.
"It definitely has. When the Twenty20 squad got picked, the big one was probably Lynny," Siddle said.
"Now he gets his chance in the PM's game and he is not the only one.
"There is a few other specialist T20 players around the squad that are going to get opportunities.
"It's a long time before the squad will be selected so it's a good opportunity for them to get a good hit out in against international opposition and hopefully put their case forward."
PRIME MINISTER'S XI
Thursday: Twenty20 tour match - Prime Minister's XI v Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval, 7.10pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
Prime Minister's XI squad: Peter Siddle (c), Dan Christian (c), Chris Lynn, Jason Sangha, Fawad Ahmed, Daniel Fallins, Djali Bloomfield, Ben Cutting, Jordan Silk, Chris Green, Harry Nielsen, Dan Leerdam (12th man). Coach: Jason Gillespie.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
