Australian Peter Siddle made an explosive return to Test cricket with six wickets, including a hat-trick, on the first day of the Ashes yesterday — not a bad day for a fast bowler many thought should not be in the side.
Siddle, who took 60 wickets in 17 Tests before a stress fracture to his back forced him into rehabilitation for 10 months this year, was a controversial choice ahead of fellow quick bowler Doug Bollinger for the Ashes opener.
After fully vindicating the selectors’ faith in him by putting Australia in charge at the Gabba — on his 26th birthday to boot — the Victorian said he never doubted that he would get back in the wickets at Test level.
“I knew that if I could do something for the team, be patient and consistent, things would happen at some stage in this series,” he said.
“I knew if I could work hard enough and got everything right, I could come back a better cricketer and I’ve done that,” he said.
Siddle spent part of his recuperation at Australian Rules club Carlton, which confirmed his initial impression that his own lack of professionalism had contributed to the problem.
“It was disappointing to get the injury last year, I knew there were things I had to change, my body wasn’t in good shape for the rigors of Test cricket,” he said.
After claiming the wickets of Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood in his second spell of the day, Siddle’s inspired third spell accounted for Alastair Cook, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, taking England from 197-4 to 228-8.
Debutant spinner Xavier Doherty picked up the last two wickets to dismiss England for 260. Australia were 25 without loss at the close of play.
Siddle joins Shane Warne and Darren Gough as the only three players to have taken Ashes hat-tricks in the last century.
SRI LANKA V WINDIES
REUTERS, COLOMBO
Part-time bowler Tillakaratne Dilshan snapped up two West Indies wickets within the space of three balls to tilt the balance of the second Test in favor of Sri Lanka on the third day yesterday.
At the close West Indies were 165 for five in reply to Sri Lanka’s 387 for nine declared with play ending 52 minutes after tea due to bad light. West Indies trail by 222 runs.
Dilshan, bowling his off-breaks, first broke a threatening fourth wicket partnership of 83 between Darren Bravo and Brendan Nash, trapping Nash lbw for 29 with a straight ball which the batsman played for the turn.
Two balls later Bravo played a loose drive and spooned the ball to cover point where Rangana Herath made a lot of ground and took a spectacular catch. Bravo hit a Test best 80.
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