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Peter Siddle has pipped Joe Mennie for the third seamer’s spot in Australia’s XI for the first Test at the WACA starting tomorrow.
With Mennie very much a surprise inclusion in Australia’s 12-man squad for the first two Tests, it comes as no surprise that Siddle has beaten out the South Australian paceman for the final spot in the side.
Mennie, who has been named as the side’s 12th man, will be released from the Australian squad to play for the Redbacks in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania once the Test has begun.
Australia’s bowling attack for the first Test will be led by NSW pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, supported by their state teammate Nathan Lyon and Victorian Siddle.
The decision means the final XI will have two changes from the side which lost Australia’s last Test, the third match of the disastrous three-Test series in Sri Lanka.
Siddle replaces fellow Victorian Jon Holland, the left-arm spinner’s services deemed unnecessary on the traditionally bouncy WACA surface, while Usman Khawaja will bat at number three, with Moises Henriques dropping out of the squad altogether and skipper Steve Smith moving down to his preferred position of number four.
Perth local Shaun Marsh will open the batting alongside vice-captain David Warner and Marsh’s younger brother, Mitchell, will fill the all-rounder’s spot batting at number six. Peter Nevill is the side’s wicketkeeper.
A one-time leader of Australia’s attack, Siddle has struggled to keep his place in the side due to injury and declining pace. However, after proving his fitness in the Matador Cup and the first round of the Sheffield Shield, the Victorian is now ramping his pace back up.
“Credit to him for getting himself ready and fit,” Warner said earlier this week.
“He’s bowling faster than I’ve faced in previous times.
“He feels fit, he’s bowling good line and length, and he was troubling our batsmen in the nets.
“He’s one of those bowlers when he hits [a difficult] line and length and there’s a little bit in that wicket he’s hard to face.”
South Africa are not expected to finalise their team until Thursday morning.
Australian XI for first Test against South Africa
1. David Warner (vc)
2. Shaun Marsh
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Steve Smith (c)
5. Adam Voges
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Peter Nevill (wk)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. Peter Siddle
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood
12th man: Joe Mennie
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