Peter Siddle signs two year contract with Nottinghamshire
Australian pace bowler Peter Siddle has signed up a two-year contract with English county side, Nottinghamshire and will feature for them starting next season, reports cricket.com.au. The 30-year old had briefly played for the county team in 2014 season, before switching to Lancashire prior to the start of the Ashes.
Mick Newell who is Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, believes Siddle, who picked up 6 for 67 in the final Ashes Test at the Oval, would be familiar with the English conditions and also help youngsters in the team. "Peter brings high quality quick bowling and is a good fellow who fits in well with the team. He will provide leadership to our young bowling attack.”
"If you look at the Ashes, he had some success at the Oval and Australia might regret not playing him in some of the earlier matches. He's very much suited to English conditions and we're certainly hoping to get the best out of him for the next couple of seasons,” he stated.
The fast bowler expressed his delight at returning to Nottinghamshire and said that he was excited about playing with youngsters in the team. "I really enjoyed my time at Trent Bridge in 2014 and I can't wait to come back.
“Notts have had a strong batting line-up for a long time and with some young bowlers also coming through I'm excited by the way the squad is shaping up ahead of the new season.”
In the 2014 season, Siddle featured in 11 matches for Nottinghamshire and picked up 37 wickets at an average of 31. Last season, with the Ashes around the corner, Siddle moved to Lancashire, who played in the second division, and took 18 wickets.
In international cricket, Siddle has endured a rollercoaster ride so far. Since his test debut against India in 2008, the Victorian has managed to impress selectors everytime with his performance. The 30-year old has especially produced some wonderful spells against England in the Ashes, claiming four 5-wicket hauls against his rivals. In 57 tests so far, Siddle has picked up 198 wickets at an average of 30.
Siddle is currently part of the Australian test team which is playing New Zealand at home. He made way for Josh Hazelwood in the first test, which was won comfortably by the hosts. He is set to fly to England upon the conclusion of the Shefield Shield season.