Peter Siddle is expected to be fit the start Australia's series against the West Indies after a day-night Test in which he took his 200th wicket and hit the winning runs while having to cope with a back ailment and the death of his grandmother.
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When Siddle reached his wickets milestone, on Friday, he explained his kiss to the sky was a tribute not only to his late teammate Phillip Hughes but also to his ill grandmother. His appearance on Adelaide Oval with two black armbands for the third, and ultimately final, day of the series-ending Test against New Zealand was because she had subsequently died.
Siddle finished 9 not-out as Australia reached the victory target of 187 with three wickets in hand.
Australia captain Steve Smith said he and his teammates had sought to support Siddle.
"It's always tough losing someone close to you," he said.
"We got around 'Sidds' . . . and he came out and gave it his all this morning, like he always does.
"It was great to see him get 200 Test wickets this week - that's an amazing feat - and he should be really proud of the way he's performed over the past couple of days."
Siddle pulled up when delivering the first ball of day three. Smith revealed the Victorian had been battling a minor injury he suffered on the opening day of the match.
"He's had a bit of a flare-up in his back in the past couple of days . . . so he's done a terrific job to be able to fight through that, and everything else that's gone on this week, to give a performance like he did, and take 200 Test wickets. It's a great feat and he should be really proud."
Smith downplayed the possibility of the ailment threatening Siddle's availability for the first Test against the West Indies, to begin on December 10 at Blundstone Arena.
"No, I don't think so. I think it's just a little spasm," he said. "He slipped in the first innings and just jolted a little bit. He was able to get through and still bowl well, so I think with a 10-day break between Test matches I think he'll be OK."
Siddle became just the 15th Australian to reach 200 Test wickets.
If he plays in Hobart, which seems assured based on the impending absence of Mitch Starc due to a foot injury, it will also trigger the upgrading of Siddle to a full Cricket Australia contract, which he lost earlier this year.
