Evergreen Siddle snares career-best for Essex

Evergreen Australian paceman Peter Siddle has produced his best bowling figures in a first-class game for six years for his English county side Essex.

The 36-year-old, who put on a bowling masterclass at his old Chelmsford stamping ground on Thursday, followed up with two more Warwickshire wickets on Friday morning to finish with figures of 6-38.

The man who played 67 Tests for Australia still looked in tremendous form before rain prevented their County Championship fixture progressing.

Siddle struck again quickly after taking four wickets on Thursday as Warwickshire, despite Tim Bresnan reaching 50, lost their final three wickets in 16 morning balls to be bowled out for 166.

In reply, Liam Norwell had Nick Browne caught behind to leave Essex 1-16 before the heavy winds brought rain and an early end to the day at lunchtime.

The day began, 15 minutes late, with Bresnan ticking his overnight 47 to his 43rd first-class half-century.

But Siddle ripped through the tail with ruthless efficiency at the other end with two wickets in successive deliveries.

Danny Briggs carved to Browne at point to give Siddle his sixth five-for for Essex, with his last also coming against Warwickshire.

He then dislodged Norwell's off-stump with the next ball, with Oliver Hannon-Dalby blocking out the hat-trick ball.

Sam Cook produced a snorter to have Bresnan caught at first slip as Warwickshire were bowled out.

Only 7.3 overs were bowled at Essex but there was enough time for a gorgeous Alastair Cook cover drive and for Browne to nick behind a Norwell beauty.