REJUVENATED batsman Phillip Hughes can be a key player in the four-Test series in India starting later this month, says teammate Peter Siddle.
Siddle, who left yesterday in an advance party of eight players to help acclimatise to Indian playing conditions, pinpointed the diminutive left-hander as a player to have a major role in setting India big targets to chase.
"If we look at Phillip Hughes, the form he's had since he came back into the Australian side, he showed he'd changed his game for the best," Siddle said.
"His form in the one-dayers has been outstanding.
"If he can translate that over to the Indian conditions, which will be a little bit different, he's the one.
"If he can get going and support Pup (Michael Clarke) and Davy (David Warner) and Watto (Shane Watson) we can get those big totals."
Hughes missed the chance to score his third ODI century this season when he was out for 86 off 93 balls in Australia's 39-run series-deciding win over West Indies in Canberra on Wednesday.
While admitting that taking wickets through pace would be hard on the dry and spin-friendly Indian pitches, Siddle said the Australian team needed to stick with what had produced results in the past.
"The way we've won Test matches for years now has been with our pace," Siddle said.
"That's going to play a big role but (off-spinner) Nate (Nathan Lyon) is probably going to play a big role at the other end and I think that's where his game will flourish even more.
"He'll get a lot of assistance over there, so I think combined the line-up will do well."
Siddle said the side had a basic plan but would emphasise patience in India.
"We have to bowl as straight as we can and be as patient as we can be," he said.
"It's always been the case, even for a spinner, to have patience. Indian wickets are hard work, the games go a little bit slower because the wickets are hard to score on."
Siddle said the Australians would be wary of cricket's greatest run-scorer, Sachin Tendulkar, in the Test series, beginning in Chennai on February 22.
"He's finished up one-day cricket and Twenty20 to concentrate on Tests so he'll be looking to come out hard," Siddle said.
"The last series over in Australia we got on top of him a bit, but he'll be looking to fire back."
Siddle said the Australians had a point to prove after losing five of their past seven Tests in India. They have not won a series there since 2004.
"It's been a tough stomping ground so I guess this is a time with a new-look team and hopefully we can go over there and stamp our authority and go from ball one and get stuck in," he said.
The remaining nine players in the touring party will leave for India tomorrow and Monday.
Meanwhile, in-form West Australian batsman Adam Voges is in line to make his return to the one-day team after rushing to Sydney for tonight's match against the West Indies at the SCG.
Voges has been withdrawn from the final day of the Warriors' Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the Gabba, with Mike Hussey taking over as captain.
All-rounder Hilton Cartwright has replaced Voges in the WA side and is allowed to bowl against the Bulls, who resumed at 2-88 yesterday chasing an unlikely 440 for victory.
The 33-year-old, a star in the Big Bash League for the Perth Scorchers who gained a call-up in Australia's T20 side against Sri Lanka, played the last of his 15 one-day internationals two years ago against England in Perth.
It is believed Voges is on standby for George Bailey, who made an explosive 44 in Wednesday's 39-run win over the Windies in Canberra.
AFP, AAP
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