Siddle proves his metal in cup bid

By Paul Pickering
WHEN the dust settles on Victoria’s failed Pura Cup bid this week, Dandenong Panthers paceman and bustling Bushranger Peter Siddle will find some solace in his own performance on domestic cricket’s biggest stage.
The 23-year-old Panthers premiership player claimed nine wickets in the Pura Cup final against New South Wales, including figures of 5/66 in the Blues’ first innings. While the Bushrangers will ultimately deem the match a missed opportunity, Siddle’s ability to extract life out of a barren pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground looks to have thrust him into consideration for national honours.
Siddle also enhanced his reputation for being able to play with pain, battling a severe tooth ache on Saturday before being whisked away to hospital at the end of the day.
In what has come as a blow to Dandenong’s Premier Cricket title defence, the Bushrangers have directed Siddle to undergo immediate surgery on the troublesome shoulder that has hampered an otherwise successful season with Victoria.