Siddle has no form to speak of and there are better bowlers in the squadSiddle can't not play. He's not just a bowler; he's a leader. Probably the player whose game is least dependent on his mood for that day.
He doesn't have to hoop it round corners or break the sound barrier, he moves it enough and he's fast enough. That, along with an excellent cricket brain and fidelity to a bowling plan gets batsmen out. Good batsmen. In other words, he's the player that gels the attack together. Not just by offering advice but leading by example.
The whole "runs in all day, big hearted" thing has turned into a pejorative, and that's a disgrace. If we had a batsman that we could describe the same way he'd have a cult following by now.
So he bowled badly in his only FC game of the tour? So did Philander in the lead-ups in both Australia and England.Siddle has no form to speak of and there are better bowlers in the squad
Aside from that, pick him
He didn't look that flash in the A tour games either, while I want him picked, his form is a legitimate concern.So he bowled badly in his only FC game of the tour? So did Philander in the lead-ups in both Australia and England.
He's not entitled to a spot any more than the rest of the squad, but he's a proven quantity. If he averaged 28 during this series he'd be as pivotal as Anderson was in Australia.
Siddle has never been photogenic to watch bowl, but he gets wickets and he's immune to self-doubt and confidence lapses even when the attack is falling apart around him. That is priceless in any big series. It annoys me no end that we piss and moan about our batsmen being mentally fragile but it's somehow a non-entity WRT bowlers. Starc could be a superstar or a disaster. Bird is an unknown quantity. Harris needs every over we can get from him before he donates his knee to science. What, exactly, is the drawback with playing our leading wicket-taker over the past 12 months?
Siddle, Patto, Harris, Lyon is the best Test attack we can put on the park.
Wasn't able to watch the games no, but his figures didn't make for particularly good reading. Again, I'm not saying his spot is up for grabs, but you can't tell me that his form has been good in the lead-up. What I'm saying is that the concerns of others in the forum about Siddle should be taken seriously.Did you watch the A tour games Maximus? I think its so bizarre that Siddle's spot would even be questioned, of course I'm a fan of his but honestly if you were to pick Cricketers on their Test performances over the last year or two I would be writing M Clarke first, J Pattinson second and P Siddle third.
Its Starc vs. Bird vs. Harris where the battle should be.
Just as a side note, in Siddle's last Test match he scored twin 50's. No one else in the entire Ashes squad has managed to do that in a Test match this year. The test before he claimed a 5 wicket haul.
Yes, I agree, his bowling warm up form has not been great.Wasn't able to watch the games no, but his figures didn't make for particularly good reading. Again, I'm not saying his spot is up for grabs, but you can't tell me that his form has been good in the lead-up. What I'm saying is that the concerns of others in the forum about Siddle should be taken seriously.
why don't we bring jason gillespie out of retirement he has lots of wickets too
NAME, MATCHES, WICKETS AVERAGE
Steyn 40 204 22.75
Anderson 53 203 27.91
Broad 48 171 29.18
[B]Siddle 41 150 28.84[/B]
Morkel 39 143 29.32
Next in line for the batting coach gig, I hear.why don't we bring jason gillespie out of retirement he has lots of wickets too
at homeman of the match in australia's 2nd most recent test match