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Gillespie Backs 41-Year-Old Siddle as Shock T20 World Cup Contender

Australian legend Jason Gillespie has suggested veteran seamer Peter Siddle could be a viable injury replacement for Australia's T20 World Cup squad. Gillespie believes T20 cricket's short-term nature makes the 41-year-old a logical, situational pick. Siddle is currently the leading wicket-taker in the BBL, proving his enduring skill. The former Test star, who retired internationally in 2019, is best remembered for a famous birthday hat-trick against England.

Key Points: Gillespie: Siddle a Viable Option for Australia's T20 WC Squad

  • Gillespie's endorsement
  • Siddle's current BBL form
  • T20's short-term nature
  • Siddle's international legacy
2 min read

"Would not be worst option": Gillespie sees Peter Siddle viable option for Australia's T20 WC squad

Jason Gillespie says Peter Siddle "would not be the worst option" for Australia's T20 World Cup squad if a seamer gets injured, citing his current BBL form.

"Would not be the worst option should one of the seamers get injured before the T20 WC. - Jason Gillespie"

New Delhi, January 2

Australian legend Jason Gillespie believes including former Aussie speedster Peter Siddle in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad wouldn't be a bad option if one of the seamers gets injured before the tournament.

Gillespie believes T20 cricket is all about short-term thinking and situational adaptation, making Siddle a viable choice given the circumstances.

This comes after Gillespie replied to a journalist who wrote on his X handle, "Peter Siddle is a very good advertisement for getting off the grog and cycling everywhere."

Siddle, at the age of 41, is currently the leading wicket taker in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL), playing for the Melbourne Stars with 10 scalps under his belt at a brilliant average of 13.60 in five games with best figures of 3/23.

"Would not be the worst option should one of the seamers get injured before the T20 WC. If there is a format that short-term (hear and now) thinking is ok, it's T20," Gillespie wrote in a X post.

Siddle retired from international cricket in 2019. He took 221 wickets from 67 Test matches, including eight five-wicket hauls. He is remembered for the hat-trick he claimed on his birthday against England at the Gabba in 2010.

Siddle celebrated his 26th birthday by becoming the ninth Australian to take a Test hat-trick. He was also a key contributor to Australia's 5-0 Ashes series victory over England in 2013-14.

In addition to his 67 Tests, Siddle also represented Australia in 20 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), grabbing 17 wickets at an average of 43.70 and two Twenty20 Internationals, where the speedster managed to take 3 wickets.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I have to disagree with Gillespie here. At 41, fitness for a high-intensity T20 World Cup is a huge question mark. Australia has younger, faster bowlers in their pipeline who should be given the chance.
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Ananya R
Haha, the comment about getting off the grog and cycling is so random! But seriously, his current form is undeniable. In T20, it's all about who's hot right now. Short-term thinking makes sense.
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Vikram M
As an Indian fan, I wouldn't mind seeing Siddle back 😉. Jokes aside, it's inspiring to see such longevity. Reminds me of players like Pravin Tambe who shone in the IPL later in their career.
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Karthik V
That 2010 birthday hat-trick at the Gabba is iconic! He's a warrior. If he's fit and firing, he could be a great mentor and a tricky customer with the old ball. World Cup pressure is different from BBL though.
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Michael C
Gillespie has a point about T20 being a short-term format. You pick players based on current form, not reputation. His BBL stats this season are seriously impressive. Would be a great story.

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