Siddle’s seeking his slice of history
IN the 13 seasons Peter Siddle has been playing cricket for Victoria the Bushrangers have made seven Sheffield Shield finals and won five titles.
But the former Test quick was busy taking 211 wickets for Australia during most of that time and has been part of only two finals, for a win and a loss.
It makes the opportunity in front of Siddle, and the Vics, in Tasmania this week that much greater with not just a spot in another final on the line, but also the chance to make history and win the whole thing for a fourth straight year.
Victory against the Tigers in the final match of the regular season, which starts tomorrow, would guarantee a spot in the final against Queensland.
The quirky nature of the points system, which rewards first innings runs and wickets, could still get the Bushrangers over the line even with a draw.
But that’s not how Siddle wants to get back to the big dance for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
“There’s little scenarios, if we do draw, and things go our way with points we can get through,” he said. “But I think leading into a final you want that momentum. We need to go down there with the mindset of winning.”
Wins have flowed for Victoria since the Shield season resumed after the Big Bash break, with victories over Western Australia then NSW in a thriller at the Junction Oval last week.
Siddle conceded having some “battles” with the Dukes ball being used in the second half of the season but said the Vics were getting things together at just the right time.
“The performance last week (against NSW) showed that when we get everything right we can put a lot of pressure on,” he said.
“I’ve been with Victoria for 13 or 14 years but I haven’t actually been a part of a lot of Shield finals. Personally it would be good to get in one.
“But from a Victorian point of view, to be able to push for four in a row, that’s massive for the group of guys here now, and the guys here over the past couple of years, creating a bit of a legacy. It is a massive game this week.”