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
jameswm
Roar Guru
I think Mennie's a better bat than Sids.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I've never seen Siddle lacking fitness or heart.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Mennie stays until the test starts, in case a bowler gets injured during warm up. Then he rushes to the Shield game.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
In that case, Marsh jnr will have to step up and increase his workload.
Perry Bridge
Guest
It's mainly that he's had an extended break across the winter - overcoming some injuries - he himself on radio (SEN in Melbourne) indicated that the 1st test might be a bit wishful thinking. As it is - he looked really sharp in the games so far - and I would assume they are coming out nicely in the nets. I love the job he does for Australia. (and he's a North Melbourne nut too.)
Basil
Guest
Let's not let personal bias get on the way of facts. Remember Bird is the incumbent even though he didn't play in SL.
Matthew H
Guest
Not from my point of view Tatah, from the selectors. Hazlewood has played 7 tests, Starc played only 2 tests in 2014. I did miss Lyon, he too is a lock-in.
Brasstacks
Guest
Well Faf DuPlessis will be telling Steyn and co... we need to work for just 10 wickets to win the match. Once you get the first 5 batters out, there is nothing much left.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Good. True WACA pitches have been roads recently.
Nudge
Guest
No it was a straight forward decision. He couldn't split Mennie and Bird so he did the sensible thing and picked the player who has more strings to his bow. Common sence it's called
Tatah
Guest
I'd be staggered if Siddle gets 3 or 4, but I hope you're right. If he does that and doesn't go for plenty that's a win.
Tatah
Guest
Matthew how are Starc and Hazlewood not lock ins?
Paul D
Roar Guru
I haven't really kept up with Siddle - are there question marks over his fitness? He bowled himself into the ground in Adelaide a few years ago and has done yeoman service, he never struck me as someone who didn't have the tank. Unless this is another banana related conspiracy.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Eh, I didn't mind what he was outlining in terms of how they are running the side - Warner is the sergeant-major, Smith is the captain. I could see that working. I don't think Smith is a natural leader of men, Warner certainly is - but provided Warner is willing to serve happily I don't see any reason for tension to arise. Please tell me the Australian cricket team is not going to do a Rudd/Gillard.
jamesb
Guest
Nice to see Siddle in the side. But I'm not sure how penetrative he will be in his bowling. If anything, Marsh seems more menacing with the ball then old Sids. If Marsh improves his bowling, then maybe he could become the third seamer and bat at number 8, and allow Stionis at 6. The strike rates of both Siddle and Marsh are very similar.
Brian George
Guest
Obviously Sidds better batting got him the gig...
JoM
Guest
I'm with you. If Starc goes onto that leg and opens it up further he will be out and then Siddle will have to bowl too many overs for someone coming back from a back injury. Mennie goes well in Perth and is also someone lilke Siddle who can just bowl and bowl.
James
Guest
watch warner's video. He has matured so much, speaks like a leader. shouldnt be long before warner takes over the captaincy. Smith is a liability as a captain as proven by his record consecutive whitewash series losses, first in australian history and smith holds that proud record.
Basil
Guest
I would've love to see Mennie play as both Starc and Siddle are underdone. Also the concern is that 6 and 7 are out of form with the bat. I don't quite understand the thinking, but we'll see I guess....
Perry Bridge
Guest
With Mitch Marsh in the side it's a question of whether Siddle is the 3rd 'seamer' or the 4th. As it is - Siddle has been menacing in every spell he's bowled in the Matador Cup and Shield game - he's looked very good indeed and no one has been comfortable facing him so I'm suspecting that at present he has some nice rhythm and they are coming out how he wants them. That means a lot for a bowler. That said - it can all go to pot in the first session of the first test if you're not right on the day. However - as a big fan of Sidds I do worry that he may not have enough overs in the legs.