Peter Siddle makes stunning move in Sheffield Shield announcement

Aussie cricket fan-favourite Peter Siddle has announced he will return home to Victoria on a two-year deal in a huge Sheffield Shield announcement. The 38-year-old made his debut for Victoria in 2005 and eventually parlayed his form for his home state into a maiden Test cap in 2008.

Siddle went on to become a fan favourite in the baggy green having played 67 Tests and 20 ODIs, before his retirement from international cricket in 2019. Siddle opted to make the move south and play for Tasmania in 2020/21.

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And Siddle showed he still had the quality, which made him a Test bowler, having picked up the Ricky Ponting medal for Tasmania as the best player in the 2021/22 season. The 38-year-old contemplated calling it quits after a brilliant career, but apparently isn't prepared to stop sending them down just yet.

The allure to return home and retire in his home state was too much as Victoria signed the quick on a contract that will see him still playing at 40 years old.

"To have a player of Peter Siddle's calibre and experience returning to support a young fast-bowling group is exciting. He'll be a great mentor for all of them," Cricket Victoria's head of male cricket David Hussey said after the announcement.

"Peter is a very passionate Victorian and it's fantastic that he's able to finish his career at home." The Adelaide Strikers have not yet confirmed whether they will welcome Siddle back for a seventh summer.

Siddle has been in supreme touch for the Strikers in recent times, notably being named captain of the BBL's team of the tournament during the 2021-22 series.

The quick bowler has delivered some all-time moments for his nation, which included a hat-trick in 2010 against England during the Ashes on his 26th birthday. After removing opener Alistair Cook and Matt Prior after tea, Siddle charged in and dismissed Stuart Broad with a yorker that trapped him in front.

Siddle is currently playing County cricket in the UK for Somerset. He has taken 13 wickets across four matches so far in the season. Victorian fans were left thrilled for the veteran bowler and praised his signing for the upcoming Sheffield Shield season.

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Finalising their contract list, Victoria have rewarded breakout batter Ashley Chandrasinghe for his impressive debut summer by upgrading him from his rookie contract. Chandrasinghe burst onto the scene with an unbeaten 119 on Sheffield Shield debut in October.

Victoria have axed spinner Jon Holland after 14 summers on the contract list and have signed batter Tom Rogers, who replaced the injured Glenn Maxwell on the Melbourne Stars' roster in the most recent BBL.

Another fan-favourite who returned to their home state was Jackson Bird. The former Australian Test bowler made the decision to return home to New South Wales in a huge signing for the state on a two-year deal. Bird is Tasmania's all-time leading wicket-taker and is 10th on the overall Sheffield Shield list with 350 wickets at an average of 21.99.

with AAP

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