With 64 Tests to his name in which he has claimed over 200 wickets, Peter Siddle should by rights have gone into this year’s Sheffield Shield final as a key talking point.
Instead, much of the attention on the Victorian side was placed on the charging form of James Pattinson and the potential for anointed wunderkind Will Pucovski to further display his precocious talent.
In fact, it is hard to remember such a recent and prodigious Test player flying so far under the radar in a Sheffield Shield final.
Much of this may be owing to Siddle’s role as the Test match water-carrier this summer, the underwhelming results of his surprise one-day international return, and the fact that his most recent Test appearance came in the relative obscurity of Abu Dhabi.
Or it could be due to the stacked bowling attacks that both sides brought into the match, with as many as eight of the bowlers on display having realistic shouts of earning a ticket to the upcoming Ashes series.
(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Whatever the reason, the sight of Siddle charging in, hitting the seam and nipping the ball off the deck to dismiss five NSW batsman would surely have brought a smile to the faces of many Australian cricket fans.
Siddle claimed the wickets of Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jack Edwards, Steve O’Keefe and Trent Copeland in a blistering return of 5/28, helping dismiss NSW for a paltry 121.
In fact, with a squint, you could almost convince yourself that you were watching a replay of Siddle playing a mid-2010s Test on Australian soil, so often did the ball shape and strike the front pads of the batsmen.
However, to do so would be to do him a disservice, as instead of being seen as a throwback, Siddle’s performance should reinstate his status as a live threat at the highest level.
No matter how enticing the other candidates for the role of back-up seamer in the forthcoming Ashes series may be, none offer anything close to his combination of durability, accuracy and top-level experience.
His selection in English conditions would provide a more-than-capable stock-bowling inclusion should injury hit, or a genuine new-ball option if the side were to find themselves behind in the series.
So while a dozen names, including those of his Victorian fast bowling team-mates, will continue to be put forward as candidates for Ashes selection, we would do well not to forget the energy, durability and quality that Potassium Peter brings to the table.
Cheers
Roar Rookie
If Pattinson can stay fit and continue his form he’d be a great chance if chasing the series, would likely have to play as a fifth bowler or with an all-round option. Would be tough to begrudge him some success after his horror run.
redbackfan
Roar Rookie
Siddle is great, but if fit it has to be Pattison, I know its partly the way he carries on, but he just dominates games when he is firing like hardly anyone in the world . (shame Worrall is injured, he would have been a chance)
Cheers
Roar Rookie
This is certainly a possibility and is something that was seen in the 2013 series, when Swann picked up a stack of wickets. Can't see England being too keen to deliberately work towards this type of deck given the disparity in spinning quality this time around but as you mentioned, the schedule may take its toll. Worth noting that during that series Siddle, Broad and even Faulkner found success (as did Harris, who clearly had a bit more in the tank).
Peter Warrington
Guest
Pope you make a Heller of a point there Yes GD the original and best Watto. Lethal on the right deck. Yes Pistol was real good?
Oscar Samios
Roar Rookie
To undermine my own argument: it's also possible that the English pitches are worn and drier by the time the Ashes roll around. There will already have been a county season and a World Cup played on them, so they may lack some of the nip and greenery that English pitches have usually had in Ashes campaigns played a touch earlier in the summer. If this is the case, then perhaps the seamer / swing bowler loses his effectiveness, and express pace comes back into vogue to get that 'something extra' out of the pitch.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
G D Watson and D J Colley I yearn for you tragically. Reiffel did surprisingly well and O'Donnell not so surpringly well. And where oh where have the batsman/part time medium pacers gone? I think England may be drier and less helpful to the mediums but what do I know? Siddle will be annoyingly accurate and probably willing to share his excess bananas.
Peter Warrington
Guest
I am right on with this. massie. Watto got 11 wickets in a week! But quicks do well esp Lillee and dizz, ryano Quicka with good control, those McGrath seemed to be faster, have the same control but do more with the ball than Siddle He always seems to be compensation for Starc. But Starc isn’t elite there. Possibly as said above patto Cummo and rich I is the way to go. We drew in 72 with less and even less experience, against arguably a better England. Add Lyon for experience This however leaves the door open for stoinis or Mitch m. Oh for. Watto or a wobbler like Walters. Warner and his Wobblies? I reckon Cummins can take 35 wickets. He is the new DK. Everything else is superfluous. Or not./
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
T.Alderman......okay, he fits my vintage.....at least I'm not putting forward Miller and Lindwall!!
Oscar Samios
Roar Rookie
Both are relevant considerations, and for argument's sake lets ignore that test. Siddle's class remains clear given his excellent county record (especially in recent years) and improved domestic performances over the last few seasons. Australia has always loved a quick bowler in the mould of Lee, Johnson, or Starc. But some of our most successful bowlers in England were far from express. Think McGrath, Gillespie, Siddle. Even Mitch Marsh's right arm ordinary picked up a 5fa last ashes.
Peter Warrington
Guest
any consideration re dead rubber and more helpful track? surely Lehmann is dragging attention to the bowlers again to defend the worst batting performances in living memory?
Gee
Roar Rookie
Not fair to compare a spinner with a fast bowler, at least in Australia. Lyon has a first class average of 34, if he was a pace bowler he would be a back up player for a Shield team.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't think the selectors would choose Pattinson for the SQAUD ahead of Richardson, but it doesn't matter as long as they both make it. Once there, much will depend on the lead up games, Jose. You've got an incumbent Test bowler versus a guy who is probably a better all round Test cricketer, but for injuries. Starc & Hazlewood haven't bowled a ball in anger for a few months, so they have to prove themselves as do these guys. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see an attack Pattinson, Cummins, Richardson and Lyon, if they prove to be the form bowlers.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
The role that Siddle plays - while he was a new ball bowler for the Vics - in the Aust team he is invariably 2nd change into the wind, up hill and rank old ball stock bowler. His average is ok for that. Given that prior to the home SL tests that Mitch Starc had produced 20 wkts at 46.5 from his previous 8 (v India, Pak and SthA back to Port Eliz) and he's our new ball strike bowler!! And Hazlewood - the other new ball bowler - dating back to and including Syd v England - that in his 9 prior tests had 28 wickets at 34.64. Suddenly a 34 year old going at 30 don't look so shabby!! The other factor is that for an Ashes series in England: Siddle 11 tests, 43 wickets at 28.37 (S/R 54.3) Starc 8 tests, 29 wickets at 31.24 (S/R 54.2)
jose
Roar Rookie
Pattinson ahead of J Richardson provided he stays injury free.
Cheers
Roar Rookie
He can definitely bat too, in combination with Cummins they would make for a pretty handy lower order. Main question mark (aside from the fact he appears to be outside of the selectors thoughts) would be if he would be given the new ball for Australia and if not whether he would still be effective at test level.
Oscar Samios
Roar Rookie
Siddle's pedigree in England is undeniable. He had a superb county season there last year with 37 wickets in 7 matches, and was superb in the 5th test in 2015. Darren Lehman has gone on record recently saying it was a mistake not to pick him earlier in the Ashes campaign of 2015. I think the county season will do him a world of good and he'll find himself a place in the touring squad. As others have pointed out though, there is unparalleled competition for bowling spots in the Australian XI which will certainly lead to a few disappointed players
Peter Warrington
Guest
If the third seamer is a nagger who nibbles it, a Walker or Kasprowicz type, I am ok with having a "stock bowler". England used to fill whole attacks with them (Hendrick, Old etc). If it's "keep it tight and give the others a rest", I would prefer to shuffle the the three quicks to get the right combination of penetration and control - Gillespie and McGrath had both, which meant Lee could be a wildcard (which didnt go real good in Emgland). Starc Cummins and one of Haze/Richardson/Patto shouldn't need a "stock bowler". Lyon keeps it tight now. (Starc is the key risk - if there is nothing in the pitch for him, prefer to not pick him for some tests, play three right armers or even a second spinner.) A wobbly medium would be good - has Warner been working on those? And Maxwell - the new Kohli! - can be a stock change spinner with his darts.
Peter Warrington
Guest
I agree, but his selection over the last 12 months suggest I reckon he is pretty sure to go I'd rather take a leggie
Cheers
Roar Rookie
Fair points Paul, either way it is nice to have so many decent fast bowling options. Give us a World Cup and some County fixtures and who knows what we'll be thinking come July!
Paul
Roar Guru
Right now you're probably correct U, but that's only because we have 3 front runners returning from injury. Assuming they're fit, Starc, Hazelwood and J Richardson are locks for the Ashes squad.