By Laine Clark
November 23rd 2009 @ 6:01am
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Siddle says pace trio in for the long haul
In worrying news for Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle said he and teammates Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson wanted to rival past great Australian attacks and dominate over the next five to ten years.
A big question mark looms over the international future of Lee (elbow injury) and Clark (omitted) after they missed out on this week’s first Test against the West Indies at Brisbane.
And their anxiety won’t be helped by a rejuvenated Siddle’s gameplan, starting with the Windies series.
Raring to go after resting a side strain injury that cut short his one-day campaign in India, Siddle said in Brisbane on Sunday that the current pace trio wanted to begin a new era of Australian fast bowlers.
“Growing up, Australian cricket was always strong and a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
“We want to try and forge something of our own, become quality players who can hold Australia in good stead for the next five, 10 years or whatever, when we are going to be around the team.”
Siddle, Hilfenhaus and Johnson perhaps gave a taste of things to come by inspiring Australia’s shock Test series win in South Africa in March.
But in a major setback Australia stumbled in England, losing the Ashes series 2-1.
Siddle said the disappointing defeat in England had only added further fuel to the pace trio’s desire to “forge a reputation”.
“We have had almost a good year together, the three of us,” Siddle said.
“We are starting to get used to how each other plays, what our roles are in the team.
“We are all close mates and at similar ages, we are all disappointed with the Ashes and how we finished up there, we want to start off well here and perform well and have a good series.”
Siddle, 24, has played 12 Tests while Hilfenhaus, 26, has eight to his name and pace spearhead Johnson, 28, will line up for his 27th on Thursday against the Windies.
Siddle downplayed the seriousness of his side strain injury and insisted that he was ready to fire for Australia alongside Johnson and fellow recovering quick Hilfenhaus.
The trio will play the first Test at the Gabba from Thursday without playing a first class game in the lead-up.
In an unusual preparation, Siddle will prepare for the first Test running out for an Australian XI in an All Stars Twenty20 clash at the Gabba on Sunday night.
Not that he was concerned.
“I have played that much cricket now that I know what I have to do to prepare for each match and what I have to do to get ready,” he said.
“I feel comfortable with where I am right now and am looking forward to a big summer.”
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