Published: Sep 11, 2018, 09:34 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 11, 2018, 09:34 AM (IST)
Peter Siddle may be 33, but he is still in contention for a berth in the Australian national side. Coach Justin Langer had told Siddle that age is not a barrier for a place in the squad, as the latter told RSN. The squad for Australia’s tour of UAE to play Pakistan will be announced today, and Siddle considers himself a probable after Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have been ruled out of the tour. The other likely contenders (to support a now-fit Mitchell Starc) are Jhye Richardson, Chris Tremain, and Michael Neser.
“There is obviously going to be some nervous people. This is the most opportunity in one team being selected that there’s ever been in the last 20 years,” said Siddle. “There are a lot of spots up for grabs. There’s going to be a lot of people holding phones in their hand waiting for a call.”
With 37 wickets at 16.40 from only seven matches, Siddle has been a success for Essex in the ongoing County Championship. Of Essex bowlers, only Simon Harmer (45 wickets at 24.62) and Jamie Porter (39 at 28.23) have more wickets this season, but they have played 11 matches each.
Siddle also spoke of his communications with Langer: “I’ve had some good communication with him, whether that transcends into selection, we’ll see. It’s all been positive. He’s said to me that no matter how old you are, every game counts. That’s a good way to look at it and it’s the way I’ve been looking at things over the last few months.
“It doesn’t matter who you play for, whether it’s Dandenong, Victoria or Essex: just make every game count, every performance will count and leave the selecting up to the higher powers.”
Siddle has 211 wickets from 62 Tests at 29.92. Only nine Australian fast bowlers have more.
