Siddle confident of Test return despite nagging injuries

Peter Siddle, the veteran Australian paceman, is confident of regaining his Test position despite being sidelined with injuries for the past three months. The 31-year- old, who retained his Cricket Australia contract in April, broke down during Australia's tour of New Zealand in February with back stress fractures and was ruled out of the upcoming Sri Lankan tour as he only resumed training in the past couple of weeks.

Siddle's uncertain international future is compounded by Australia being stocked with a bevy of talented pacemen. But the Victorian remained optimistic of his Test prospects. "I'm always a confident person," Siddle told the Herald Sun on Monday (June 13). "I'm not too worried about what's going on outside. I know when I'm fully fit that I'm probably going to be getting picked. When I'm at my best I know I'm one of the better bowlers in the country and that's all I can work at.

"I'm old enough now and I've played enough cricket with the experience I have, (to know) the cricket side of things will be alright," he added.

During the enforced layoff, Siddle also had surgery on a nagging issue with his left ankle. "You never want to be injured, but it's a blessing in a way that I could get both (injuries treated)," he said. "I could get the left ankle looked at. Every time I banged down it was sore. Nothing was showing up (on scans) and so you just keep playing. I knew it wasn't quite right, but you never want to give up an opportunity to play for Australia"

Siddle, who has taken 208 wickets in 61 Tests, said it had been "about five years" since he has done a proper pre-season and was adamant that a vegan diet would ensure his body could cope with the rigours of international cricket.

"I was carrying a bit too much (weight). I didn't have as much muscle and I wasn't as strong"; Siddle said. "I've converted that and turned it all around to be a lot more of a fine-tuned athlete. You need to try to stay ahead of the guys who are younger and trying to come up."