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.”
Blaze
Guest
And I think that is the general view, that regardless of what the Aussies sed or if they hadn't sed it, the general consensus is that broad and pieterson and co are going to rip into the Aussies anyway... So why not give it a shot and quite possibly, subconsciously get into the egos of some and make them try too hard... Warner them if you like.. Lol. Nothing to lose really, if the England team is already that focused and ready, it won't change anything unless they unknowingly outgrow the ego and flash at something they normally wouldn't just to smack someone like Johnson to the fence.... The more I think about it, it's psychologically brilliant...! And seemingly unnoticed! Or it's the biggest mistake and I'll be watching breaking bad box set come Sunday lunch..
ChrisUK
Guest
Sure there is. But it's the targets that I find extraordinary. Broad fired up is a different proposition to Broad who isn't. Likewise Pietersen. If it had been say Joe Root or Michael Carberry, that would make sense. Not those two though. I am not making any predictions as to outcome, but I would bet Broad has a pretty good series now. He's itching to get out there. All the media here are reporting a mood of determination in the England team. That's not normal - they can be quite flakey. I wouldn't be surprised (not predicting it - too many variables) but I wouldn't be surprised if England really tore into Australia tomorrow.
Blaze
Guest
You may be on the money chris, but there is a slight chance that that feeling of wanting to teach us a lesson will backfire... And I guess we will find out starting tomorrow. Low key will never work for us Aussies, we wouldn't turn up to watch!
ChrisUK
Guest
No question at all that it's on purpose. Entirely on purpose. I just think they're absolutely out of their minds. England are terrible starters to any series, and they have a complacency streak a mile wide. What they've done is to wind them up. Madness - now they'll be absolutely itching to get out there and deliver a lesson. Which they may or may not do of course. But low key, low expectations - and they would mug England. Everyone else has. They haven't won the first Test of a tour (bar Bangladesh) since 2004/5.
Blaze
Guest
I have a feeling they are doing it on purpose... Playing on England's ego, treating the team like pieterson if you will... Remains to be seen if it will work, but there's not going to be any in-between, either England flogs the Christ out of us or it will have the desired effect and subconsciously make them try too hard and fail. I really wouldn't put anything past the old dog boof... Usually works with pieterson so why not? All reports have us with no hope at all anyway.
ChrisUK
Guest
Actually I think there's a fair bit of irritation there right now. There's banter, and there's going too far - irritation amongst the England players. When your coach called a player a cheat, that was way too far. I don't at all mind the build up. But it's been endless drivel from certain Australian players who have achieved very little. As I said above, I don't know what they're playing at. They're just making England determined to make them pay, I don't see the tactical advantage.
Blaze
Guest
Your replies beg to differ your opinion on being offended, however I see no problem in players actively building up the series, just because the poms haven't done it this series doesn't mean they never have... And I'm saddened by the fact they haven't. It's part and parcel of a good hard series.. What is sed to the media means nothing, the players know that and so should you, your a smart bloke, you surely can't disagree. End of the day I bet all the players will be having a beer and laughing about it, whilst a select few of the public that took offence will remain upset. All I'm saying is regardless if you like it or not, it's good for the series and getting people talking and interested... Hell we have been for two days now! It stopped being a gentlemans game years ago... Wether it be underarm bowling or refusal to walk... And our comentators sure as hell need something to talk about during overs other than a new series or who's wearing the pink suit in the New Years test...
ChrisUK
Guest
Who said anything about being offended? Take a damn sight more than that. I just said it's - as you would put it - pretty ordinary behaviour. And it is. What fans or media on either side say means zero. I'm talking (as I've said repeatedly but you don't seem to have grasped this) the players.
Blaze
Guest
I guess they just decided to leave it to their fans and social commentators.... You act as if they have never done it! It's ridiculous to be offended by it! However you lot found a way... Lighten up.
ChrisUK
Guest
There is no sauce for the goose. England haven't said anything about the Australian players or team, nothing like "garbage" or "sook" today for example. Enjoy your blissful myopia.
Blaze
Guest
No, there will be none. Obviously what's good for the geese isn't good for the gander... So different rules for different nations it is... Enjoy your "daily mail" propaganda.
ChrisUK
Guest
Oh of course they were. Don't be ridiculous. He told a joke back to a journalist about Brisbane. It's entirely different to the trash talk towards England the cricket team from Australian players. Forget it. You clearly aren't capable of grasping difference. I'll await your reaction on here when and if any England player says anything. I know what it'll be.
Blaze
Guest
That's fine, don't try and tell me that pietersons comments were any different. That's my point. The only point... They all do it and it's nothing but to build up the series... Same way way anderson had sed that Clarke was arrogant in his book... This only they do it and we don't attitude is the only pathetic thing about all this.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Aussie one.
ChrisUK
Guest
British or Australian one?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Get stuck in boys. The Daily Telegraph reads like it's been infiltrated by the North Korean Ministry of Truth.
ChrisUK
Guest
Your lot get media training, right? Don't give me that about loaded replies, it's got bells on. Warner was at it again today, it's entirely deliberate and you know it. If they want to do that, fine. But don't try and pretend its not happening.
Blaze
Guest
Righto mate, whatever you reckon. Your obviously the end all, be all on both teams media relations and loaded verses non loaded replies given... Seriously... It's a game. Get a grip.
ChrisUK
Guest
Don't bother. You clearly can't comprehend the difference and regard a joke as being just the same.
Blaze
Guest
So you can sit there with a straight face and tell me that the circumstances of comments from both sides were not coming from the same twisted replies from media questions? Your unbelievable... Obviously as one eyed as possible... So I'm not going to bother. Enjoy the ashes pal.