Quantcast

Siddle keen to continue renaissance

Victorian says skill-set has him well placed to be a key figure for Australia in Bangladesh

Peter Siddle expects Australia to opt for the combination of two quicks and two spinners for next month’s Test series in Bangladesh.

The 15-man squad for the two-Test tour covers all possible scenarios, with four fast bowlers, two spinners, fast-bowling allrounder Mitchell Marsh and off-spinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell all selected.

Quick Single: Fekete, Bancroft in Test squad

Siddle, who has built his reputation as a workhorse capable of bowling long spells, shapes as a likely starter regardless of the make-up of the XI, particularly after his impressive return to the Test side in England, where he picked up six wickets in the fifth Ashes Test.

WATCH: Cummins prepared for Test return

“I’ve never been there (Bangladesh), so that will be a bit of an experience in itself,” he said. “You can never assume too much of what side’s going to get selected once you’re over there, but it was nice to finish off the Ashes series with a game and perform well.

“Then to get the selection (for Bangladesh), I’m just looking forward to getting over there now and getting amongst some more cricket.

Quick Single: Maxwell hoping for Test team tweak

“You’d assume two quicks, two spinners is the likely side over there, with the allrounder in the middle. So there’s going to be some hot spots there, for those two spots between the four of us (fast bowlers Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Andrew Fekete).”

On last year’s tour of the United Arab Emirates for the Pakistan series, Australia handed a debut to New South Wales spinner Steve O’Keefe, who was picked alongside Nathan Lyon and has been recalled to the national squad for this Bangladesh series.

However, after a heavy defeat first up, selectors reverted to their tried and preferred method of three quicks and one spinner, with O’Keefe axed in favour of Mitchell Starc.

Quick Single: CA to manage Starc's ankle issue

Siddle struggled on that tour, taking just two wickets in the two matches, and after playing the opening Test of the home summer against India in Adelaide, was subsequently overlooked until his recent recall in the Ashes dead rubber.

Yet the 30-year-old, who is two wickets away from becoming the 15th Australian to the 200 milestone in Tests, insists that his game is well suited to the flatter wickets Australia are likely to encounter in Bangladesh.

WATCH: Reverse swing skills improving: Starc

“A big part of my game, especially in Australian conditions, has been reverse swing,” he said. “That does benefit me a lot over there, and what I normally do is what I’ll do over there; be patient, build pressure and bowl in the right areas.

“It doesn’t matter what conditions you’re bowling in, those same traits work anywhere.

"Starcy’s probably going to (take) one spot with his pace and his skill with the reverse swing, and then you probably need someone who can hold up an end, build some pressure and try to generate wickets as well.

“And I think my experience, not in Bangladesh, but in those conditions, will help, and the performances I’ve had on similar-type wickets here in Australia, especially in Adelaide – I’ve got a good record over in Adelaide in Shield and Test cricket – I think that will play a part as well.”