Australian and Strikers stalwart Peter Siddle says World Cup spots are on the line in BBL 2019-20
Adelaide Strikers’ Peter Siddle is predicting this Big Bash season will be one to remember as he prepares for a T20 World Cup year.
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Peter Siddle predicts a Big Bash season to remember as ambitious stars lock radars on home Twenty20 World Cup selection next year and the old guard eye silverware.
Siddle, 35, believes his time in the green and gold has passed after retaining the Ashes with Tim Paine’s unit in England.
However, there is unfinished business with the Strikers after last season’s disappointing title defence.
Trevor Hohns’ selection panel will next spring pick the unit tasked with delivering Australia’s inaugural T20 World Cup title in October.
The pressure is on to enhance reputations or post breakout displays in BBL 2019-20 says Siddle.
“I think there will be plenty of blokes stand and put their name forward with what is coming up,” Siddle told The Sunday Mail.
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Travis Head will bolster Adelaide after the Sydney New Year’s Test against New Zealand. Skipper Head needs to remind selectors of the 374 runs at 53 that were instrumental in Adelaide’s BBL 07 championship conquest to earn a T20 international recall.
“There is a great opportunity for anyone to play some exciting cricket. From a spectator point of view it will be an awesome tournament to watch as there will be loads of blokes trying to get part of that squad and put their name up in lights,” observed Siddle.
Keeper-batsmen Alex Carey has catapulted from the fringes of the Strikers squad to Australian limited overs vice-captain inside two years.
Carey jumped on the fast track to national honours with 443 runs at 49 opening with Jake Weatherald in the Strikers’ 2017-18 title triumph.
Selected in the 2019 50-over World Cup team of the team of the tournament, Carey will captain the Strikers in Head’s absence for the December 21 season opener against Sydney Thunder in Canberra.
“He was amazing at the World Cup, probably surprised a lot of people, players and himself at what he can do when given an opportunity and how powerful he can be at times,” said Siddle.
“He has been in good form for South Australia this season and hopefully that can flow into the Big Bash before he heads off to India on Australian duties in early January and win us a few games.”
Adelaide’s top order – sabotaged by the absence of Carey and Head on international duty last season – should be solidified by the arrival of Sussex strokeplayer Phil Salt.
Jon Wells was the only Striker to make BBL’s top 10 run-scorers list last season with 359 runs at 44 but these came in middle order rescue mode.
Salt led Sussex’s T20 run aggregate with 406 runs at a strike rate of 161.1 this season.
If openers Salt and Weatherald fire in unison the Strikers will enjoy the power play platform so crucial to success in T20.
“I have played against him and what I have seen he is a powerful square of the wicket and once he gets the pace of Adelaide Oval our home ground should suit him,” said Siddle of Salt who received an England T20 squad call-up last April.
“He can be very destructive. Hopefully he comes off in a few games and sets us up.”
Bowlers win matches.
Adelaide’s varied attack featuring Rashid Khan, Siddle, tearaway Billy Stanlake, fringe Australian seamer Michael Neser, boom quick Wes Agar, Harry Conway, Cam Valente, tweaker Liam O’Connor and left-armer Nick Winter is the centre-piece of coach and legendary paceman Jason Gillespie’s strategy.
“Our attack is pretty strong and the last couple of years we have seen players develop,” said Siddle.
Adelaide could forfeit Michael Neser to Test duty with Josh Hazlewood breaking down in the first Test against New Zealand in Perth.
Siddle’s Victorian teammate James Pattinson will vy with Neser to replace Hazlewood which underlines the healthy state of Australia’s pace stocks.
“We have as a country, a lot of us a fit and firing,” said Siddle.
“Hopefully it doesn’t happen but when blokes do have a rest or come down with injury there plenty ready to go, stand up at international level.”
Marshalled by the world’s No.1 ranked T20 bowler Rashid Khan, the Strikers have options to lasso any rival when competitive totals to defend.
Superstar Rashid was central to Adelaide’s 2017-18 trophy but enters a third BBL campaign with points to prove.
IPL’s ‘million dollar baby’ took 19 BBL wickets last season but rivals sat off Rashid.
The World Cup saw Afghanistan struggle with Rashid’s six wickets costing 69.3 apiece.
Five months after inheriting the Afghanistan captaincy across all formats Rashid has been replaced by Asghar Afghan.
The country’s third leadership change in six months is a reflection of poor administration rather than Rashid who will unleash frustration on Adelaide’s BBL rivals.
“Rash knows what to do. I can see Rash being more aggressive this year and take more wickets if they are going to sit on him and take their time,” said Siddle.
Agar, 22, has two wickets at 77 over five BBL starts for Adelaide but Siddle noted the 195cm paceman’s rapid progress.
Agar has recorded two five-wicket one-day hauls and 23 at 21 in a sparkling debut first-class season for South Australia.
“We knew he could bowl,” said Siddle of Agar.
“He’s shown for SA in all formats he can stand up and perform for the team. No doubt he will get his opportunity.”
Siddle and fellow veteran Ben Laughlin worked tirelessly with the young Strikers bowlers but BBL’s all-time leading wicket-taker was released by the Strikers for family reasons.
Siddle has put the onus on Adelaide’s entire attack to step up when required in former Australian T20 seamer Laughlin’s finisher role.
“Benny is a big loss but it does give other guys opportunities to stand up and take over the mantle of being the role player,” said Siddle of Laughlin who has 95 BBL scalps at 21 in 75 matches.
“Ness has always been a good performer with it. I have done it, it’s a good opportunity for everyone. If we have five guys who can perform that role instead of two it will make us a stronger unit.”
Carey, Neser and or Stanlake are likely to be called up for Australia’s three-match tour of India in January.
Adelaide will still be more settled and demonstrate better depth this season insists Siddle.
Former Australian allrounder Cam White offers invaluable experience after switching from champion Melbourne Renegades.
“It is exciting to have that leadership, we have probably lost that with Ben Laughlin not here and Heady over the past couple of years on international duty,” noted Siddle.
Siddle took 11 wickets at 20 in BBL 07 including 3/17 in the final victory against Hobart Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval.
Siddle was restricted to six BBL wickets last season by Test and unexpected one-day commitments which the Victorian found difficult to juggle.
Siddle suspects his 67th Test against England at The Oval was his last but a second Strikers trophy would provide sweet consolation.
“I think my time in terms of that stuff gets pretty limited and I am pretty excited to part of this group without any interruptions,” said Siddle.
“Last year was a bit disruptive heading off and coming back from Tests. I am looking forward to being a little more settled knowing where players stand, what their roles will be.”
Originally published as Australian and Strikers stalwart Peter Siddle says World Cup spots are on the line in BBL 2019-20
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