‘Fully fit’ Siddle desperate to make Ashes Test return

LONDON - Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle is hoping that his selection in Sunday’s Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka will help him bid for a Test return during the upcoming Ashes series.

Siddle’s last match for Australia was in January before stress fractures in his back sidelined the 25-year-old from active cricket.

“I’m not a selector, but hopefully (they’ll pick) four quicks, that always gives me the greatest opportunity and then (Marcus) North bowling spin, that’s probably the best-case scenario for me at this stage,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Siddle, as saying.

“But I’ve just got to keep improving over the next month or so, keep bowling well and hopefully get a few wickets along the way.”

“Just show them that I’m fully fit, strong, bowling well and bowling fast and being consistent and I think that’s the key areas that they’re looking at me for,” he added.

After playing in the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa, and a Ryobi One-Day Cup match on Saturday, the right-arm fast bowler said that his rhythm and pace were steadily improving.

“It’s all feeling good at the moment, I’m getting through big spells and obviously the pace, I think it’s up there anyway, hopefully the ball’s coming out alright,” Siddle said. (ANI)