James Pattinson is expected to come in as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the MCG Test © Getty

Justin Langer has all but confirmed that pacer James Pattinson will get the nod ahead of Michael Neser and Peter Siddle for the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand. By naming Siddle in the 13 for the second Test, Langer had raised eyebrows, but the head coach has made it evident that it will be Pattinson who will replace Josh Hazlewood in Australia's playing XI.

"I am really looking forward to seeing Patto bowl and bowl well in this Boxing Day Test, which is his home ground as well," Langer told 6PR on Saturday (December 22). "James Pattinson was 12th man in the last game and I hope what I have shown in the last 18 months is that we have been really consistent in our selection. He's been unlucky, he only played a couple of Tests in the Ashes and he is so hungry like Mitchell Starc. The way he has come back from playing (two) Tests in the Ashes has just been brilliant."

The last time New Zealand faced Pattinson in Australia, the pacer, who made his Test debut in 2011, scaled 14 wickets in two matches, averaging 14.00. He accounted for Ross Taylor three times in four appearances then.

After their 296-run comprehensive win in Perth, Australia will look at wrapping up the three-match series in Melbourne that begins on December 26, but Langer is not underestimating his opponents and expects them to put up a good fight.

"I thought we would have the best of the conditions in Perth because the bouncier wickets are quite foreign to the New Zealanders," he said. "They will come more into their own at the MCG and SCG I think.

"While we played great cricket in the first Test, we know we are going to have to be really on top of it to beat the second-best team in the world. If we can do that, then we are certainly moving in the right direction."