Published: Oct 18, 2018, 09:35 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 18, 2018, 09:35 AM (IST)
Peter Siddle has been added to Australia’s T20I squad for the matches against Pakistan following Mitchell Starc’s latest hamstring concern.
Starc did not bowl in the final session on day two of the Abu Dhabi Test after taking a wicket in his first four overs during Pakistan’s second innings, and was then placed in the slips as Australia were seen attempting to keep him fresh after he spent some time off the field. Starc’s participation in the rest of the second Test is not set to be hampered, but wth three T20Is versus Pakistan in the UAE the Australian selectors have decided to add Siddle as cover.
“It’s just a bit of management of Mitch,” the opener Aaron Finch said of Starc’s situation. “Obviously the conditions are pretty hot, so trying to look after the fast bowler. As far as I know he is (okay). He bowled with enough pace today.”
Siddle, 33, played the last of his two T20Is for Australia in 2010. He was recalled to the Test squad for the UAE tour nearly two years on from his previous Test. Siddle’s last T20 games were for Essex in August.
Starc, 28, will be carefully monitored by Australia ahead of a massive workload over the next ten months. After returning home, Australia host South Africa for ODIs and T20Is and then face India for a full tour which includes three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs. Then Sri Lanka visit for two Tests, before the IPL gets underway in April and ends 10 days before the start of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, after which Australia play the Ashes in England.
