Former Test paceman Peter Siddle, at the age of 39, continues to defy the odds, playing a pivotal role in Victoria’s strong position on day one of their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia.
Despite a weakened Victoria side due to Australia A commitments, Siddle’s experience and skill proved invaluable. He struck twice in an over to remove Daniel Drew and Jake Lehmann, and later returned to clean bowl Liam Scott, ending the day with impressive figures of 3-44 from 18 overs.
South Australia, batting first at the Adelaide Oval, struggled to find fluency, reaching a scoring rate of two runs an over only in the final moments of the morning session. Conor McInerney was the first wicket to fall, dismissed by Victoria captain Will Sutherland.
Henry Hunt and Liam Scott both scored half-centuries, but it was Siddle’s interventions that kept Victoria in control. He removed Hunt, edging to first slip off Doug Warren’s first ball, and caught Alex Carey on the boundary off Mitch Perry’s bowling.
Carey’s dismissal for 44 left South Australia at 159 for 5, but Scott played a crucial innings to revive the home side, assisted by Ben Manenti and debutant Henry Thornton.
Victoria’s young bowling line-up, featuring Cam McClure, Mitch Perry, and Doug Warren, complemented Siddle’s experience. Despite an early gift of five penalty runs, South Australia ended the day on 286 for 9, with Siddle’s performance highlighting that age is no barrier to excellence.
