Former Aussie quick Peter Siddle looking south to continue his career

The heart of the Australian cricket team is believed to be eyeing off a move to Tasmania to wrap up his outstanding career.

Peter Siddle could be joining the Tasmanian Tigers for the next Sheffield Shield season. Picture: GETTY

FORMER Australian quick Peter Siddle could be joining the Tigers.

The Victorian veteran has announced his international retirement so is currently out of contract.

The Age has reported he has flagged to Cricket Victoria a move to Blundstone Arena or to Western Australia to finish his career.

Siddle, 35, retired from international cricket after 67 Tests with 221 wickets at 31.

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker was non-committal when contacted as Cricket Australia has extended a player movement embargo during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

“We have spoken to lots of players,” Baker said.

The Tigers are finalising their own contract list from last season, and it is likely former Australian Test, one-day and T20 all-rounder James Faulkner will be squeezed out.

Faulkner, a former World Cup final man of the match, has been cut down by a knee injury that has restricted him to white ball cricket only.

He still has a Hurricanes contract and could be selected for Tigers 50-over games, but would not start the season with a Tigers contract.

Siddle would add to a strong Tigers bowling group alongside the likes of Jackson Bird, Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis and Gabe Bell, as well as providing leadership on the ground and in the change rooms, especially with the retirement of former skipper George Bailey and the absence of captain Matthew Wade and Australian Test leader Tim Paine on international duties.

It is understood Siddle is also keen to get into coaching and a move to Tasmania would open those doors.

Even at the latter stage of his career, Siddle is still a formidable first-class bowler, taking 32 wickets at 19.9 – the fourth-most Sheffield Shield wickets this season.