County batsmen beware... Aussie nemesis Siddle is fired up for another title charge with Essex
Daily MailPeter Siddle smiles as he recalls his unusual and remote role in the celebrations that followed Essex’s last-day triumph the previous time the County Championship was played, in 2019. They made me feel at home.’ After their title decider against Somerset, it was Essex’s way of recognising the role Siddle had played in helping them become domestic cricket’s dominant red-ball force. Siddle will continue a relationship with England which began with his Ashes debut in 2009 ‘Jimmy proves age doesn’t matter,’ says Siddle. I think your blokes will put in a feisty challenge.’ It will be an Ashes without Siddle, who retired from international cricket after that Ashes Test at the Oval two years ago. Siddle retired from international cricket after Australia retained the Ashes in 2019 ‘I’m probably fitter than I’ve ever been,’ he tells Sportsmail.