Peter Siddle takes match-sealing wicket at WACA to end one of Australian cricket’s great careers

After nearly 20 years, Peter Siddle still had the ball in hand as his career neared a close and he ended it in perfect style.

At 40 years of age, Peter Siddle was still charging in after 6pm on day four at the WACA, the last game of his last season, just three overs away from ending an almighty red-ball career, which to that point had netted 791 wickets across nearly 20 years.

Victoria needed one wicket to beat Western Australia, having “dangled the carrot” for the home team to chase 381 despite a win not helping them make the Sheffield Shield final.

The home team needed 35 runs off 18 balls, and Corey Rocchiccioli was swinging for the rafters.

Victorian captain Will Sutherland threw the ball to Siddle for the third last over of the game, and second ball in, Rocchiccioli swung hard, edged it to keeper Peter Handscomb, and Siddle was enveloped by his teammates.

It was wicket number 792, his last one for Victoria, despite a post-game suggestion from Sutherland that he might “twist his arm” to play again next season, having been a stalwart among a young, exciting group.

Victorian coach Chris Rogers, a former Test teammate of Siddle, who wore the baggy green 67 times, taking 221 wickets, including a famous Ashes hat-trick on his birthday, said the same thing before paying the fast bowler the ultimate tribute.

“I almost feel like trying to re-sign him, but he assures us he is done,” Rogers said.

Peter Siddle is mobbed after taking a final wicket with his final ball. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“What a career. In our quick chat (after the game), Marcus Harris said he’s a great of Australian cricket and he actually is.

“There’s not too many of them going around.

“To be involved in his last game is pretty special, and to see him get some runs, get the first wicket in his first over and then get the last wicket, I don’t think you can write that script, I’m really happy for him.

“What a career.”

Siddle was given a guard of honour by both teams as he left the ground after his final Sheffield Shield match, with plans to keep playing Big Bash.

“Definitely an incredible career, still trying to convince him to go around again next season,” Sutherland said.

“It’s a bit of a fairytale finish and I’m so happy for him, he’s given so much to Victorian cricket. It’s been a privilege for me to play the start of my career with him.”