Allan Border remarks Peter Siddle is not far from Test recall

Former Australian skipper Allan Border is expecting a Test call-up for Peter Siddle, who has played a pivotal role for his national side in the recent past particularly while donning the white jersey.

“I’ve been very impressed,” Siddle said in The Splash podcast of the Fox Sports.

The 33-year-old Victoria-based fast bowler Siddle in his last ten fixtures bagged nine wickets which included three for 17 in the grand finale of the Big Bash League (BBL) on February 4 against George Bailey-led Hobart Hurricanes.

Border was impressed with Siddle’s recent performances which according to him could further push the Cricket Australia (CA) selectors to think about the prominent bowler.

“His style didn’t really have all the toys that the bowlers have these days. As far as slower balls and variations and I thought he might get clattered around a little bit,” Border asserted.

Border remarks Siddle could be the best option:

However, with Australian selectors have already named the squad for South Africa tour as Border termed Siddle could be a specific alternative for an injured player.

“They’d be watching closely and if anyone goes down with any sort of injury, Sidds would be an ideal replacement,” Border said.

The 62-year-old Border believes such decent outings for the reigning champions Adelaide Strikers will strengthen the case of Siddle.

“But he was a real surprise packet. And I was impressed with his pace, actually — he got his pace through to the 140s at times and he had some good variation,” Border maintained.

As Siddle-led Strikers to the first-ever title in the bowling department which further saw him wrapping the competition with 11 scalps.

Border maintains CA selectors knew Siddle’s value:

Known for working hard and returning to the national fold, Border believes Siddle is right into the frame of the five-day format to deliver for Australia in the foreseeable future.

“He was one of the picks of the year. Definitely — he’d be there just in the selectors’ back pocket,” Border further observed.

Interestingly, the wily customer Siddle maintained the economy of 5.95 which has been best from any of the fast bowlers in the recently concluded seventh edition of BBL.

Since 2016, Siddle has not been part of the Australian squad; as he was marred by injuries during his top-flight cricketing career which started in October 2008 against India at Mohali.

Siddle inked a county deal:

Earlier, Siddle has set a deal with the English county side Essex which has been the champions in the domestic set-up.

“Certainly I wouldn’t discount him from being picked — the horse for the course. He would bowl well in those conditions.” Border further added while reflecting on Australia’s tour of the Rainbow Nation.

The first-choice bowlers are ruling the roost:

It was somewhat a back injury that kept Siddle haunting which further saw Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and now Pat Cummins cementing their respective places as Jackson Bird is waiting in the wings owing to the first-choice fast bowlers for the Australian set-up.

Even though Siddle couldn’t induce much pace, but he was apt when it came to the precision.

“I would’ve thought Peter Siddle, bowling the pace he bowls,” Siddle concluded.

Earlier, Australian head coach Darren Lemann has heaped praise on the pace portent which saw him encouraging the bowlers who crossed the 140-mark on the speed gun.

Siddle played 62 Tests, 17 One-day Internation, ls and two Twenty20 Internationals. He has bagged 229 wickets across formats.

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