Courageous quick Peter Siddle is doing great work at Test level but Australian cricket’s chairman of selectors is happy to keep him out of the one-day side.
John Inverarity said on Wednesday he wanted to preserve Siddle’s lion-hearted efforts for the Test arena, including Australia’s tour of the West Indies in April.
Siddle has been in career-best form this summer, claiming 23 wickets at 18.65 in the four-Test series against India.
While the Victorian has improved his Test record to 114 wickets at 29.03 in 31 matches, Siddle has taken only 15 wickets in 17 one-day internationals (ODIs) and has missed selection since November 5 2010.
Siddle’s career is starting to become more closely aligned with another popular Victorian pace demon Merv Hughes, who took 212 wickets in 53 Tests from 1985 to 1994 and played only 33 ODIs.
Siddle, who took a match-winning 6-43 to bowl the Bushrangers to victory over South Australia in last week’s Sheffield Shield match at the MCG, says he’s keen to get back into coloured clothing if he gets the chance this summer.
“I want to be playing with the one-day team but, wherever I am, I am going to do my best,” Siddle said last week.
“I’ll keep playing for Victoria, try to bowl well, stay fit and strong and, if I get the chance, I get the chance.”
Inverarity said Siddle’s bowling during the Indian Test series had been outstanding.
“We really look forward to letting him loose in the West Indies,” Inverarity told ESPNcricinfo.
“He was lionhearted and wonderful and we look forward to him returning there.
“But just at the moment, he’s not in our short-term ODI plans.”
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The Crowd Says (5) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Australian Cricket, Cricket, ODIs, Peter Siddle
February 23rd 2012 @ 6:39am
Red Kev said | February 23rd 2012 @ 6:39am | Report comment
Yes John, Clink McKay is clearly a superior fast bowler to have in your short term ODI plans …
February 25th 2012 @ 12:23am
Lolly said | February 25th 2012 @ 12:23am | Report comment
I’ll take it that you are being serious considering that Clint McKay has 39 wickets off 19 matches at an average of under 20. Even in the current series he is averaging 16. I don’t get why they dropped him.
Peter Siddle, on the other hand, has 15 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 38.
Some bowlers are not suited to one day cricket.
February 23rd 2012 @ 7:04am
aussie1st said | February 23rd 2012 @ 7:04am | Report comment
He’s lucky to make the Victorian OD team anyway.
February 23rd 2012 @ 12:48pm
AdamLudeke said | February 23rd 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
I think the top 6 bowlers in the country, Pattinson, Harris, Siddle, Starc, Hilf and Cummins should be the same 6 used in ODI’s with the addition of Brett Lee).
So with Pattinson & Cummins not playing through injury I find it hard to fathom that Siddle isn’t in the mix.
February 23rd 2012 @ 1:00pm
Dan said | February 23rd 2012 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
Totally agree with you Adam
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