If Australian spirits were buoyed by news Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle have found fitness and form respectively to join Mitchell Johnson at the Gabba on December 5, what’s happening on the periphery is cause for excitement, too.

Harris finished with seven wickets for Queensland in their win over New South Wales, but more importantly made it through the best part of 33 overs for the match on his surgically repaired right knee.

Likewise, Siddle’s seven wickets helped Victoria to a thumping victory over South Australia.

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But in what is sure to be concerning for MS Dhoni’s side, Australia’s second-string quicks are also starting to find their groove in the one-dayers and Sheffield Shield.

Josh Hazlewood, 23, stuck his hand up with a five-for in Australia’s loss to South Africa in the second ODI at the WACA.

Hazlewood struck again in Canberra on Wednesday, removing both South Africa openers on his way to 3-51, while 24-year-old Mitchell Starc – the man most likely to make way for a Harris return to the Test side – took 4-32.

Pat Cummins is poised to return to the Australian ODI team. Photo: Getty

Hot prospect Pat Cummins, 21, struck down repeatedly by back stress fractures, is on the verge of a return to ODI cricket in the same series.

Meanwhile, James Pattinson, 24, who has been bothered by back injuries for most of his career, has returned to batting in club cricket in Melbourne and is aiming to bowl before Christmas.

Jackson Bird, 27, another out of the picture for much of the past 18 months with stress fractures in his back, took seven wickets for Tasmania’s Futures League side this week.

Young West Australian pair Jason Behrendorff, 24, and Simon Mackin, 22, have taken 13 and nine Shield wickets respectively to be key men for their side, which sits on top of the table.

Another West Aussie, 27-year-old Nathan Coulter-Nile, claimed four scalps in the first ODI against South Africa before being dropped for Kane Richardson, 23, in the third.

All-rounder James Faulkner, 24, took four wickets and cracked 50 in the Shield for Tassie against WA this week.

And 22-year-old New South Wales all-rounder Sean Abbott – fresh from his T20 international debut last month – picked up six wickets for his side in their losing effort against Queensland.

So even though we’ll be glad to have the old band back together for the Gabba, it’s nice to know there’s a veritable orchestra of young fast-bowling talent out there waiting in the wings.