In-form Siddle eyes T20 internationals

Peter Siddle has never been thought of much as Twenty20 international star, but his rich vein of BBL form with Adelaide has changed that perception.

Adelaide Strikers star Peter Siddle

Peter Siddle believes he could replicate his BBL form with Australia's Twenty20 international side. (AAP)

Peter Siddle still harbours dreams of representing his country - in the unlikely role of Twenty20 spearhead.

Typecast as a red-ball bowler, Siddle is enjoying a late-career renaissance as a short-form gun.

Siddle took the key wickets of Jos Buttler, Shane Watson and Joe Root in his match-turning 3-20 haul in the Adelaide Strikers' 20-run New Year's Eve win over the Sydney Thunder.

That gives the 34-year-old a stunning average of 7.00 and economy rate of 4.66 in this summer's BBL.

Last season, he took 11 wickets at 20 and an economy rate of 5.94.

Siddle is a 64-Test veteran but has only played 17 one-day internationals and two Twenty20s for Australia, the last of which came in 2010.

The lion-hearted paceman believes he has developed the tools to excel with the white ball.

"I'd love to get back in the yellow-and-green for Australia in the shorter format," Siddle said.

"I think I did (always have T20 bowling skills) but I hadn't played enough to be able to bring them out.

"Last year, playing a full season gave me an opportunity to train and prepare for it."

"In the meantime, Siddle, who has been travelling with the Test side during the ongoing series against India, appears to be next-in-line in the pace attack.

Given his standing and his bowling style, Siddle appears a certainty to be named in the squad for next winter's five-Test series in England which, remarkably, would be his fourth Ashes tour, matching Shane Warne's tally and going past three-time Ashes tourist Glenn McGrath.

"If you go back to a couple of years ago, you'd probably think I'd ran my course and might not get that opportunity again," Siddle said.

"A good winter in England (with Essex) this year got me back in the frame.

"I've been around the Test team for the whole summer - I'm thereabouts.

"England and its conditions is a place I love playing."


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Source: AAP


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