Former Australia fast-bowler Peter Siddle has taken an early flight back to his country and ended his season prematurely with Essex in the County Championship this summer. Siddle has cited personal reasons for his move.
The 36-year-old quick’s decision comes despite him showing some fine form for Essex in the six rounds of fixtures he was involved in. Siddle took 20 wickets at just 24.40 per piece, helping Essex progress in Group 1 of the Championship.
Siddle said it was upsetting for him to leave his teammates early, but he hopes to be back playing for Essex the following summer.
“I’ve built some really strong bonds with the guys, so it’s upsetting that I have to go home, but hopefully in the future I can come back,”
Siddle said in a release issued by the club on Tuesday.
“I know I’m getting to the back end of my career, but I’ve still got some playing time left. We’ll see what happens in the coming months and in the build-up to the 2022 season, but fingers crossed there’s still a little bit more cricket to be played for Essex,”
he added.
In his last appearance for the season, Siddle bagged a four-fer for Essex in their rain-marred drawn fixture with Nottinghamshire the previous week. The ongoing season was a comeback one for the Aussie quick in the Championship after missing the last summer’s Bob Willis Trophy due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Siddle was integral to Essex’s remarkable title victory back in 2019 but couldn’t take part in the following season, for which he had his contract extended for the 2021 summer.
Essex head coach Anthony McGrath hailed Siddle in his statement, saying it is “disappointing that we’re losing a player of his calibre”.
Siddle, who started off as a hustling quick in the mould of Neil Wagner for Australia, transformed into more of a kiss-the-surface bowler in the latter part of his career, making him ideal for English conditions. He played 67 Tests for Australia, apart from 20 ODIs and 2 T20Is, before opting to retire internationally after the 2019 Ashes.
