Essex Hand Peter Siddle New Two-Year Deal

Australian veteran pacer Peter Siddle has re-signed a two-year contract with Essex after enjoying two successful stints with the English club.

The right-arm pacer had signed up with the club at the start of the ongoing season, playing four games and helping the team to win two of them. He ended up picking up 20 wickets from his four wickets. However, New Zealand’s Neil Wagner filled up his spot as the overseas player for the following three wicket. Siddle then returned and impressed straightaway by picking 17 wickets in three games.

So initially signed for the first month of the campaign, Siddle finished with 37 wickets at 16.40 in his seven Championship games.

See you all next summer guys can’t wait! ???? https://t.co/T6YUW40RrI

— Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) September 7, 2018

And impressed with the 33-year old’s performance, the defending County Championship champions have decided to hand him a new deal.

Expressing his delight over the new deal, Siddle said he is thriller to re-join the club.

“I have loved my time at the Club so far with the players and staff giving me a great welcome. And I really feel part of the team at Essex. As an overseas player, I am always committed to taking the whole experience in and not just picking up my money and being on my way at the end of a contract,” Siddle said.

“There is a wealth of talent in this squad who are hungry for more success. And I am thrilled that I can join them for a further two seasons and be part of it. I’m also really excited to play alongside Cooky [Alastair Cook], we’ve had some really great battles in the past. It’s going to be fun to play on the same side as him rather than against him,” he added.

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath welcomed Siddle’s return: “We are ecstatic that Peter has agreed to be with us for a further two years. We have all seen the qualities he brings to this squad and complements our bowling attack perfectly.

“He has a wealth of experience and the professional attitude he applies every time he heads out onto the field is commendable, as well as being a great person to have around the Club off the field,” he added.

Having made his last Test appearance two years ago, Siddle is likely to feature for the club for the whole of the next season. However, their are chances he might get a recall for the next year’s Ashes in England due to his knowledge of the conditions. Siddle has so far played 62 Tests, picking up 211 wickets.