Australian pacer Peter Siddle retires from international cricket
MELBOURNE: Australia pacer Peter Siddle has announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the Test series against New Zealand.
Siddle, 35, told his teammates of his decision ahead of day four of the Melbourne Test on Sunday, December 29. While he had been in the squad for the Test series, he did not make the XI and was released to play in the Big Bash League last week.
Thus, the Oval Test against England in the 2019 Ashes, which he helped Australia retain, was his last.
Siddle retires as one of Australia’s red-ball greats, with 221 wickets in 67 Tests at an average of 30.66. Overall, he claimed 241 scalps in 89 international appearances across formats.
Justin Langer, the Australia head coach, described Siddle as a perfect team player. “He is an unbelievable bloke and an extremely good cricketer,” he said. “He is everything of what a team player is. He has given his heart and soul to the Australian team and the game of cricket.
“We’ll always be thankful to him for what he’s given to the national team, and for the critical role he played in helping us retain the Ashes in England this year. He’s going out when he’s still playing well which, in a perfect world, is something every athlete wants to do.”
All praise
Tim Paine, the Australia Test skipper, was also all praise for Siddle, hailing him as the “heart and soul” of the Australian side. “Sids has been the heart and soul of the team for a long time,” Paine said.
“He has a massive heart and is a fantastic bowler. He’ll be very much missed around the group. He’s been unbelievably good for our younger fast bowlers over the last 18 months and been a great support for me during that time, as well.”
One of the standout moments of Siddle’s career came in 2010, when he picked up a birthday hat-trick against England at the Gabba. He dismissed Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad to reach the milestone, before finishing with six wickets for the innings.
Siddle finished the 2010 Ashes as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 14 scalps in five games at 34.57. He also made an important contribution in the 2019 Ashes, picking up seven wickets in three Tests. As many as 36 per cent of Siddle’s overall Test wickets came against England.
After promising domestic performances, Siddle also made a comeback to Australia’s whiteball side for the ODI series against India earlier this year. He played ODI cricket for the first time since 2010, making the Australian XI in three games of the five-match series.