Warne expects Siddle to make way by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	SK Warne, PM Siddle
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 4th August 2009

 

Australian spin legend Shane Warne said he expects medium-pacer Peter Siddle to pave way for either Brett Lee or Stuart Clark in the fourth Ashes Test starting on Friday.

 

The former leggie said he was hardly impressed with the performance of the three-pronged Australian pace attack of Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson and expects either Lee or Clark to sneak in for the last two Tests.

 

"Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle make a very inexperienced attack first off. I think Brett Lee and Stuart Clark may both be in contention for places," Warne wrote in his column for 'The Times'.

 

"It will be interesting to see whether Australia risk Lee or save him for the final game at the Oval. That way he could have a practice game against the England Lions at Canterbury before a big five-day Test.

 

"Siddle made a really good start to his Test career, but his inconsistency over the three games has been disappointing. He hasn't always been aggressive and while I think he has a big future for Australia, I wouldn't be surprised to see either Clark or Lee take his place for now," he said.

 

Warne said that the only way for Australia to sneak back and have a chance in the series can be by managing to get early breakthroughs.

 

"I think that both sides will be looking at their bowling attacks before Headingley. England will no doubt start as favourites given what has happened so far. Australia need to find a way of taking 20 wickets to get back into the series," Warne said.

 

"Of all the grounds in England, Headingley is the place where conditions can most help the bowlers. I sometimes found it a horrible place to bat, with the ball swinging and jagging and bouncing. The new ball is crucial and I still believe that if Australia can get to the England middle order early they have a great chance," Warne said.