Siddle in sight of 200 club after Test return

An impressive return at The Oval has given Peter Siddle 198 Test wickets and the Victorian will be hoping to become just the 15th Australian to reach the 200 club in Australia's October tour of Bangladesh.

Siddle took six wickets in his highly-talked about return to Test cricket, with figures of 2-32 and 4-35 in Australia's innings and 46-run victorywith a performance that made a mockery of critics who had questioned the veteran Victorian paceman's inclusion.

The quick had feared his international career was over when sidelined for the Tests at Cardiff, Lord's, Edgbaston and Trent Bridge – having not played since the first Test of last summer against India in Adelaide – and made the most of his unexpected opportunity at The Oval.

When England crumbled for 149 in their first innings, it was the right-armer who grabbed a wicket with his second ball to remove opener Adam Lyth and spark a collapse.

Siddle discusses his Test return

Later, it was a millimetre perfect ball that beat Ian Bell's defensive push and clipped the top of his off-stump.

When the hosts were sent back in for another try by Australia skipper Michael Clarke, Siddle again found the first breakthrough, removing the embattled Lyth during a display of economical and effective bowling featuring 10 maidens from his 16 second-innings overs on day three.

He continued the effort on the fourth day, trapping Mark Wood in front before the rain delay and finishing off Australia's comprehensive victory with the final two wickets of Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali.

Test legend Shane Warne had questioned Siddle's inclusion in Australia's fifth Test XI, criticising Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann and head selector Rod Marsh after the Victorian came in for Josh Hazlewood instead of 22-year-old paceman Pat Cummins.

Quick single: Warne questions Siddle selection

With the series lost before the fifth Test started, Warne said he felt Cummins should have been given an opportunity to prove himself, suggesting the depth of Australia's fast-bowling stocks would limit future opportunities for 56-Test veteran Siddle.

Warne also said Siddle should have been included in the side earlier in the series – a hindsight argument the Victorian's performance at The Oval led weight to.

"Just imagine what he could've done in those conditions at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston," Warne said.

Quick single: Glenn McGrath weighs in on the selection debate

At the toss on Thursday, Clarke explained Siddle's control was behind the decision to opt for the Victorian ahead of Cummins.

Now, Siddle's impressive return to the XI will have given selectors plenty to consider ahead of the upcoming tour of Bangladesh in October, and an Australian summer featuring Tests against New Zealand and West Indies.

"You'd hope so, yeah," Siddle told cricket.com.au after day two. "You always want to keep playing for your country.

"It has been tough, but to get this opportunity and come out here and bowl well (has been pleasing).

"I was actually very nervous. It felt like I was debuting again."

Siddle chats to the press after day three

Incoming captain Steve Smith also praised Siddle's return to the starting side.

"I felt Peter bowled really well today," said Smith after day two.

"He was swinging the ball a little bit and seaming it as well.

"I think he was just putting the ball in the right area and let the wicket do the work."

Clarke, while not specifically mentioning Siddle, added his weight to the argument for including some of Australia's more experienced campaigners in upcoming tours.

Quick single: Clarke leaves selectors a message

"There's going to be opportunity for a few of the (young) batters," Clarke said at the close of the match.

"I'd still like to see a few of the old heads stick around though.

"I've always believed the best teams have a mix of youth and experience and I think we can still have that in this Australian team.

"I don't know if selectors are going to go with that - that's up to them - but for me personally I've always liked a team with both youth and experience because they work well together."