Australia pace bowler Peter Siddle has expressed his confidence in making it back to the national team. He is keen to play in the Ashes for his country but has insisted that he is currently concentrating on playing domestic cricket.
The 32-year old, who was one of the most feared bowlers in Australia not long ago, has had a tough time on the sidelines with a back injury. His last Test match was against South Africa last November when he suffered the injury and since then has not taken part in international cricket.
However, after proving his fitness, Siddle is ready to play in JLT Sheffield Shield games to prove his form to the selectors ahead of Ashes series later this month. But it will not be an easy task for the veteran pacer, as the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins could all make the lineup against England at Gabba in the first Test.
But Siddle could be in the mix alongside Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jackson Bird, and Jason Behrendorff if in case any of those three quicks remain unavailable for the coveted series.
“If I didn’t have the desire to play for Australia I probably wouldn’t continue to play,” Siddle told reporters on Thursday.
“I want to be a part of the Ashes at some stage, but my first goal is to get back for Victoria and play some unrestricted Shield cricket.
“You always want to (send a message to selectors) but for me, it’s just exciting to be back playing after spending so much time off the park over the past 18 months.
“My body is 100 percent, which is good, and I’ve pulled up well.
“I just want to play some consistent cricket over the next few weeks and see what happens.”
Peter Siddle has two Shield games to prove his fitness and form for the selectors, as they meet later this month to announce the squad for the Test series. Siddle’s inclusion into Victoria side is also a boost for the Bushrangers, as they have lost their first test at Gabba.
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