- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Peter Siddle returns to the scene of his Gabba hat-trick heroics on Thursday, but it’s a more sinister form of Ashes hat-trick that’s dominating his thoughts ahead of the first Test.
Siddle says the pain of three series defeats against England is so strong, he can’t reflect back on his 2010 birthday heroics in Brisbane with happy memories.
Australia’s fast bowling leader has been involved in three consecutive Ashes series losses and time is running out for him to taste success against the old enemy as he prepares for a 29th birthday at the Gabba on day five.
A controversial selection, Siddle had the Gabba rocking late on day one of the series opener three years ago when he removed Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad with consecutive balls on a day when he also dismissed Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Graeme Swann to finish with 6-54 in the innings – still his career-best.
“Obviously it’s a highlight of my career but if you look back on it you want to win Test matches and that’s why we play the game,” said Siddle on Monday.
“It (the hat-trick) is something once I’ve retired I’ll look back and enjoy a lot more than I have now.
“I’d have rather won that Test match and won the series than worrying about individual highlights.”
The core of the England side has stayed the same throughout their winning dynasty, and are primed to pursue a fourth straight Ashes triumph – the first time it’s been done since the 1800s.
But Siddle is adamant Australia have learnt lessons from defeat.
“Our plans have got a lot stronger,” he said.
“We know what to do differently. We know how to approach it and we’ll attack it hard.
“We know there’s a few players we need to work on and no doubt we’ll have them covered starting on Thursday.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.