28 June, 2009
Andrew Wu in Hove, Sportal
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Victorian quick Peter Siddle appears certain to join pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson in Australia's attack for the first Test in Cardiff after being described as a 'lock' by coach Tim Nielsen.
Siddle all but secured his place in the Test XI with match figures of 3-68 from 30 overs on a flat wicket in Australia's four-day tour match against Sussex which finished on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old former woodchopper from Gippsland Victoria impressed with his control and ability to extract sharp bounce from a placid wicket.
His economy rate of a touch over two and a quarter runs an over was much lower than the rest of the Australian attack, all of whom conceded around four or more per over.
Siddle's likely inclusion in the side leaves veteran pair Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and Tasmanian swingman Ben Hilfenhaus in a four-way battle for the remaining two places in the Australian attack.
Hilfenhaus appears to be the outsider of the quartet after being the least used bowler against Sussex, though was given the new ball in each innings.
"I've got a bit of an idea (about the team)," Nielsen said.
"I think this week is starting to settle that in my mind. We've got a day off tomorrow to start thinking about that a bit more."
Nielsen said the 'acid test' would be the upcoming tour game against the England Lions, effectively an England A side, starting in Worcester on Wednesday.
Nielsen is not a selector but will give his endorsement of Siddle to national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch, who arrives in England on either Sunday or Monday.
"I think Peter Siddle is a lock," Nielsen said.
"He's bowling beautifully. All things being equal and his body being in good shape and him ready to go he's one of our two outstanding bowlers at the moment in my opinion."
"He's doing a fine job every time he bowls, and gets better."
Nielsen said Siddle had improved on each occasion he has played for Australia since making his Test debut against India last October.
"He presents himself so well. He bowled really aggressively from the bottom end today after tea," he said.
"He's a young hard fit body that wants to bowl fast for Australia. I'm really impressed with him."
Nielsen said he was pleased Lee was given miles into his legs in his first unlimited overs match since ankle surgery after last summer's Boxing Day Test.
"It was important after being in the IPL and Twenty20 bowling more than one spell of four overs for us," he said.
"And we've got that into his legs now. The challenge will be to get him back up by Wednesday next and make sure that he's right to go."
Nielsen said Clark had also bowled well at times against Sussex.