Pets welcome as Siddle ties the knot

It's the off-season for Australia's cricketers, and that can mean only one thing: wedding season.

April brings a break in the international schedule and usually sees a flurry off nuptials, with fast bowler Peter Siddle the latest to walk down the aisle.

Siddle tied the knot with long-term partner Anna Weatherlake at a winery in the Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne. 

Victoria and Australia teammate Aaron Finch attended before he links up with his IPL franchise the Gujarat Lions, while former Australia ODI bowler Clint McKay was a member of the bridal party.

A renowned vegan who famously admitted to eating up to 20 bananas a day, Siddle and Weatherlake are also committed campaigners for animal rights.

The couple adopt dogs and their animals were appropriately part of the wedding ceremony. 

Siddle last played Test cricket for Australia in the opening Test of the summer, against South Africa at the WACA Ground. 

Having broken down during that Perth Test, Siddle had initially been confident of a return in the back half of the KFC Big Bash League season, and possibly even joining his Test teammates on the Indian crusade.

But with his back stubbornly refusing to heal, he opted instead to give this season away and target the beginning of next summer, with the obvious goal being a return to Test cricket when England roll into town.

Quick Single: Patient Siddle happy to play waiting game

The decision to rest properly now and re-launch later in the year is based on recent experience; Siddle says he was "chasing his tail" at the start of the 2016-17 season as he tried to regain his Test spot, his haste resulting in another injury and another long stretch of frustration.

"I've shown that when I'm at 100 per cent (fitness), I'm one of the first picked and my record speaks for itself," Siddle told cricket.com.au in March. 

"So that stuff looks after itself and that's what (this decision to rest) came down to. I need to get the body right because next summer is massive for Australian and state cricket.

"So it's just a matter of being in a good position and fit and that'll give me the best opportunity.

"Those challenges between the group of six or seven bowlers is only going to be good for Australian cricket."