The squad announcement for the tour to South Africa made me think about who should be selected for the first Test against the South Africans.
The tour to South Africa will be Australia’s chance to show that the Ashes whitewash was not just a one-off thing against a tired opposition.
Peter Siddle was part of the Australian side that beat England 5-0 in the most recent Ashes tour.
The Australian team was dubbed the ‘unchangeables’ because they used the same XI throughout the whole series. But George Bailey wasn’t selected for the tour, so the side cannot remain the same for the sixth Test in a row.
If they are going to change the side they might as well refresh some players that have not performed as well as they could over the last two Ashes series.
Peter Siddle hasn’t picked up five wickets in an innings in his last 19. In this time he has taken four twice and one or less 13 times. Siddle has been down on pace and couldn’t move it off the straight if he was bowling across a slope.
Peter Siddle hasn’t looked threatening during the last two Ashes series.
If you had the choice of facing Mitch Johnson in full armour and Peter Siddle in short shorts and thongs, you would choose Siddle every day.
Peter Siddle turned 29 a month ago and with the age that is in the current Australian team selections need to be made that look towards the future.
Pattinson is 23 and brings youth to what is an ageing pace attack.
Pattinson has picked up three-wicket hauls in his first 12 games for the Aussies. His most memorable his 5-fer in the first Test in India on a flat track he touched 150 km/h frequently.
His first two Tests in England where affected by injury and his performance was down because of it.
If Pattinson is put in place of Siddle for the first Test, he completes a pace attack which consistently bowls 145+. An attack that can produce that sort of pace will cause problems for all sides.
Pattinson brings the attack to the side at first drop. During the recent Ashes series the game went into a dull period after the openers where taken out of the attack.
Siddle wasn’t causing any problems for the English batsman.
The English would collapse when Johnson and Ryan Harris would come back for there second or third spells.
So what do you think, Roarers?
Deccas
Guest
it wasn't a breeze, it was a unified balanced and coherent bowling attack of which siddle played a major role. You're way off the mark Nick.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Patto may take his time to get back in the national team as he has been injured. He has looked short of a gallop during the ODI series. But, he is the future fast bowler of this country.
Michel
Guest
Our fast bowling attack of the future will probably be Pattinson, Bird, Cummins and maybe Faulkner. I think Pattinson should come back to replace Harris when his knee stops working.
Gav
Guest
I'd pick him over Siddle, if he was bowling reasonable length spells, at 140+ , and taking wickets in Shield.......but his not. I also think him going to SA, when he could be playing Shield locally is a waste......wasted opportunity to get him back to full fitness and confidence.
Dizzy Tangles
Guest
Pattos 4 wides in his first over today can lay this debate to rest. Has Siddle EVER done that?
One-eyed Jack
Guest
JP's efforts so far in today's game in Perth are showing why he is in no condition to be anywhere near the test team. Erratic grouping and down on pace.
Mitcher
Guest
"If they are going to change the side they might as well refresh some players that have not performed as well as they could over the last two Ashes series." Pattinson took 7 wickets at a touch under 45 in his Ashes tests. Admittedly over only two matches but if that's the premise of the article... The point has already been well made repeatedly, but JP is a fantastic talent. Should go on to lead the attack in future. But he is not fully prepared and 100% not the man to fill the first change role played beautifully by Siddle in recent times. This is severely muddled thinking that overlooks the complexities of putting a Test bowling attack together.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
In my opinion hes strugglin atm.didnt bowl well at all against poms.in the long run yes but not for the ist test. An injury will end siddles career now even though he is relatively young i think.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Jadeja took 6 on a green top. Graeme Smith looked out of his depth, which is rare for such a respected and experienced player
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
I say i'm spreading my opinions on website filled with opinion articles. I also say that if you think you're being smart, why don't you try writing articles? Also if i'm correct the point of writing articles is to get your point across, which with over 100 comments on the article means I've done my job.
jameswm
Guest
Patto needs a lot more than a tour game. He needs several games of red ball cricket. He should end up a heck of a bowler, but he's nowhere near taking Siddle's (or anyone's) spot right now.
ozinsa
Guest
If you mean the spinners got more wickets than the rubbish Indian quicks then it's a valid point but struggled seems an odd choice of word when they scored 244, 450-7, 500 and 59-0 in the series. Geez I hope we struggle like that.
ozinsa
Guest
Ready or not, the balance of our attack was one of the reasons for the success we achieved against England. Siddle controls runs and puts pressure on whilst we rest the spearheads. An attack with three spearheads will leak runs and not have the same success. Replace Harris or Johnson (for fitness reasons) with Pattinson but only Bird comes in for Siddle if necessary
Scott Pryde
Expert
You are kidding??? Siddle is very accurate and consistent and while its true that sometimes he doesnt take a truckload of wickets he still has been very economical and at times bowling in partnerships has helped set it up at the other end
Adam
Guest
This is rubbish. Just a troll from someone who missed getting Siddle's autograph hanging over a fine leg boundary fence
Adam
Guest
The Shaun marsh of roar articles, all style no substance
Adam
Guest
Spot on
Adam
Guest
Unthreatening and yet has a test career average and strike rate almost identical to Mitchell Johnson
Adam
Guest
Spot on with the average. Any bowler to have a career average like that would be considered an all time great. Siddle averaging under 30 is still very handy indeed. Ill gladly take his solid record over the returning from injury Pattinson
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
My thinking is that this article indicates two probable options: 1. Nick likes to write controversially to stir things up- more comments=more notoriety. 2. He is simply too stubborn to accept any contrary arguments, especially if they're valid. Heck, it could even be both- what say you, Nick?