Peter Siddle picked in XI for first Test; Mennie named as 12th man

Following a terrible ordeal with his stress fracture, Peter Siddle is set to make a comeback in the first Test against South Africa at Perth. The encounter is said to be a historic one at that given the fact that the Proteas will be playing for the first time with the pink ball and at Perth which will add to the occasion for sure.

Steve Smith, the Australian skipper also went on to add the importance of having an experienced player such as Peter Siddle on the side. “They’re the kind of bowlers that can really tie up an end … who can hit consistent areas and build good pressure and keep runs down,” Smith told reporters at the WACA today?

“We’ve gone with Sidds for this Test and it’s good to have him back as well after a fair injury lay-off.”

“Credit to him (Siddle) for getting himself ready and fit,” Warner told reporters this week. He’s bowling faster than I’ve faced in previous times. He feels fit, he’s bowling good line and length, and he was troubling our batsmen in the nets.

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“He’s one of those bowlers when he hits (a difficult) line and length and there’s a little bit in that wicket he’s hard to face. He’s been our rock for many years now and he’s got the games under him and the experience to know what to bring out here.” “I’ve watch him pretty closely over the past six months and I think he’s made a lot of improvements in his game,” Smith said of his all-rounder today.

The Australia skipper also added that they have been working quite hard to say the least. “We’ve been working on him play the ball a bit softer in his hands in defence. I know if he spends a lot of time out in the middle he can score incredibly quickly, he hits the ball as hard as anyone.”

Australia XI: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Joe Mennie (12th man).

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