Siddle won’t stop until ‘body shuts down’
Peter Siddle plans to continue travelling around the world in search of taking a magical 700th first-class wicket despite announcing his retirement from the Australian side.
Siddle, 35, said his body was still feeling fresh and that injuries suffered earlier in his career had breathed new life into his final few seasons.
He took his 600th first-class wicket in a Sheffield Shield match for Victoria last month and plans to play for England side Essex next winter to keep his red-ball career alive.
Siddle, who has played 67 Tests, informed his Australian teammates of his decision on the MCG before play on day four of the Boxing Day Test.
He finished his Test career with 221 wickets, including eight five-wicket hauls, leaving him 13th on the overall list for Australia, and will also be remembered for the hat-trick he claimed on his birthday against England at the Gabba in 2010.
“It’s all going to be reliant on the body. I’ve clocked over 600 first-class wickets a couple of weeks ago – 700 is a nice number,” Siddle said on the eve of the Boxing Day Test.
“If it’s not for Australia it’ll be for Victoria, Essex, Adelaide Strikers … and I’ll continue to play until the body shuts down.”
Siddle said he considered retirement after Australia retained the Ashes and discussed the matter with captain Tim Paine and coach Justin Langer in England. He said it was “always hard to know when the right time is”.
“Once I had ticked that (the Ashes) off … I could have done it there,” he said.
“That chance of maybe getting one last crack in Australia, to do it at home, would have been nice. I’m obviously very happy and a bit sad.”