Coach connection pays off
PETER Siddle’s Test match resurrection can be traced back to the bond he forged with Matthew Hayden in his first days as an international cricketer.
If you’re mates with “Big Haydos”, you’re mates with new coach Justin Langer, and the ringing endorsement Siddle received from Hayden on his first overseas tour has proved advantageous.
Siddle, 33, said he had almost lost hope after the emergence of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, although his heart was set on next year’s Ashes in England.
However, his call-up has come 12 months early, with Langer adamant Siddle can now serve as the mentor Hayden was for the young fast bowler in India in 2008.
Siddle finds himself pitted against Gold Coast Dolphin Michael Neser for a spot in Sunday’s first Test against Pakistan.
Langer has never forgotten what Hayden once said about Siddle. “Because Haydos loved me, JL loved me from the start,” Siddle said.
“We hit it off ... our relationship has always been strong. I’ve had some good chats with JL over the past six months (about mentoring) guys.”