Inspiring to see Siddle bowl - Hastings – Cricket News Update
Victorian fast bowler, John Hastings, said that he was inspired by the bowling effort of his state-teammate Peter Siddle in the recently concluded second Test against South Africa.
Siddle bowled 63.5 overs in Adelaide and was evidently exhausted after failing to help his side draw first blood in the three-match series. His extended workload came on the back of an injury to James Pattinson, who was unable to take the field on the decisive final day.
The Aussies needed just six wickets to claim a 1-0 lead, but managed just 4, with three of those scalps taken by Siddle. The Victorian pacer battled fatigue to end a resilient stand between AB de Villiers and Faf Du Plessis, and struck two more times to dismiss Dale Steyn and Rory Kleinveldt. His efforts nonetheless, went in vain as du Plessis and Morne Morkel weathered out a fiery final couple of overs to keep the series at 0-0.
With the decisive Test starting on Friday, the management has advised Peter Siddle and his new ball partner, Ben Hilfenhaus ample rest, and further included three new pacers in the squad to freshen their bowling resources.
Apart from Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood, Hastings also earned a surprise call to the national team following impressive performances in the domestic circuit. The Bushrangers pacer was quick to praise Siddle for his epic effort, terming it as simply inspiring.
"It was very inspiring wasn't it? I know how much work has gone into his campaign this summer ... he was out on his feet and to see him jogging back to his mark and running in to the point of exhaustion was pretty inspiring. I can't wait to get over there (to Perth) and give him a big hug actually and see how he pulls up."
Hastings further backed the 28-year-old to prove his fitness and play at the pacy track of Perth.
"I think if Sidds is walking he's every chance to play at Perth. It's every fast bowler's dream to play a Test at Perth so I think he'll be well and truly up for it.
"I know the way he looks after his body really well and I'm sure he'll give himself every opportunity to play and have the last crack at South Africa."
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