I've Led Essex To The Top – Now I Can Reap Ashes Reward

Paul Hiscock catches up with veteran fast bowler Peter Siddle, who believes his county form will be the catalyst for Ashes success with Australia this summer

- Paul Hiscock

Peter Siddle admits he would have been desperately disappointed to have been overlooked for a place in Australia’s Ashes squad this summer.

The fast bowler has taken 214 Test wickets in his 64 appearances for his country and has been given one more chance to wear the baggy green cap having helped guide Essex to the top of the County Championship with his performances this summer.

“When you look back, they picked me for the Australian side in the UAE at the end of last year in conditions that are totally different from England but they selected me on my English performances,” he stated.

“So it would have been really disappointing if an English Ashes Series squad is chosen without me being included, particularly after how well I’ve done in the past two seasons over here.”

The 34-year-old from Traralgon represented his country from 20082016 before winning a recall for the series with Pakistan in 2018, exactly ten years to the day from his Test debut.

But talks with the selectors indicate that Siddle’s name is high on their list of considerations. “The chats I’ve had with JL (Justin Langer) and the selectors are still positive and that’s all you can worry about,” he told.

“At the end of the day, I’m pretty relaxed and all I can do is to go out on the park and perform and take wickets. I think that as I’ve shown this season, I have been doing that and building pressure on batsmen and that’s all I can do. I’ve been able to contribute with the bat as well and that always plays a big part in any form of cricket these days.

“So, my all-round performances are desirable, and I feel that I’m in a good place with that.”