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Don't forget me! Siddle offers selection reminder

Veteran seamer makes case for recall as Ashes series heads towards its conclusion at The Oval

Peter Siddle is hoping history can repeat as Australia ponder their best attack for the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in London, beginning Thursday.

Siddle, who played in the first two Tests of the ongoing Ashes campaign but has been overlooked since, was recalled to the side for the final Ashes Test of 2015 – also at The Oval – and played a significant part in Australia's consolation win with six wickets.

It was his first Test in nine months and while the now 34-year-old has only played another nine matches since, with his five wickets at Edgbaston and Lord's at the start of this series combined with an economy rate of just 2.71 runs an over forming exactly the kind of package selectors were after.

"I can still cut the mustard," Siddle told RSN Breakfast. "I'm still loving my cricket and playing internationally."

With the tight turnaround from fourth Test to fifth, Australia coach Justin Langer said he and his fellow selectors are still working through the best possible combination for the pace attack at The Oval, as Australia look to seal the retaining of the Ashes with a first Test series victory in the UK since 2001.

As a consequence, even the place of the world's No.1 quick Pat Cummins – who has bowled more overs than any other paceman through this series – and fellow in-form right-armer Josh Hazlewood, will come under scrutiny.

Day wrap: Smith, quicks rest ahead of fifth Test

"Joe Root said before the series, there's going to be some fatigue in both camps after the World Cup," Langer said.

"Now we're in the last week of a four-and-a-half month stint, there's certainly some fatigue there – mental and physical.

"So we'll weigh that up over the next two days, to see if those guys play or not.

"We've got a couple of fresh, healthy fast bowlers who are jumping out of their skin to play.

"We've got to work out who has the most energy – we've got plenty of skill there – to get the job done."

One of those fresh quicks is Siddle, who also believes his first-class record at the London venue will fall in his favour when selection discussions occur.

The Victorian has taken 27 wickets in Tests and first-class matches combined at The Oval, at an average of 28.63 and a strike-rate of 58.30.

"You see the benefit of (fast-bowling rotation) from a team point of view," Siddle said. "Players have come in fresh and been able to perform straight away.

"The Oval is a ground where I've had a bit of success so that should help me as far as selection goes (for this Test)."


2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia won by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Second Test: Match drawn at Lord's

Third Test: England won by one wicket at Headingley

Fourth Test: Australia won by 185 runs at Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval