Peter Siddle’s stock has never been higher following Australia’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash of England - and now he can follow it up by being a star of the forthcoming English domestic summer.
Though Nottinghamshire have broken the mould of recent seasons by signing Peter Siddle as their principal overseas player, nothing has changed in one very important regard: a high level of class has remained a paramount pre-requisite.
In contrast to the likes of David Hussey, Stephen Fleming, Adam Voges, Hashim Amla, Darren Bravo and Ed Cowan - who were signed first and foremost to strengthen the club’s County Championship batting ranks - the seemingly indefatigable Australian is a break from norm in that it’s the seam attack to which he adds his international quality.
As director of cricket Mick Newell has testified, that choice is a reflection of how the balance of the side has changed over the past few years.
When Nottinghamshire last won the Division One title in 2010, it was the bowling that was commonly regarded as their strongest suit and the batting, at times, the weak link. Nowadays, though, that scenario has been largely turned on its head.
Experienced performers such as Ryan Sidebottom, Mark Ealham and Darren Pattinson are no longer part of the bowling unit and have been replaced by a battery of younger pacemen, Andre Adams and Paul Franks aside, who are still learning their trade.
Conversely, from a batting point of view, Nottinghamshire now have a strong top order to rank alongside the best, with the likes of Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels, Samit Patel, James Taylor and Chris Read all capable of scoring big runs.
It was down to this changing of the guard that Newell opted to go for Siddle – the man who has arguably been Australia’s most consistent performer over the last four Ashes series.
And when you analyse the Victorian’s prospects closely, it quickly becomes apparent he could become one of the most talked-about players of the 2014 county summer. Here’s why…
1. A firm ground-ing
Siddle needs no introduction whatsoever to bowling in English conditions and Trent Bridge is a venue that should suit him, well, down to the ground.
He enjoyed an excellent game in his one and only Test match appearance for Australia in Nottingham during last summer’s nail-biting first Ashes match of the summer, picking up 5-50 in the first innings and 3-85 in the second, despite England’s narrow win.
It contributed to series figures of 17 wickets at an average of 31.58 over the five Tests – not bad considering Australia went down to a 3-0 defeat – and followed on from 20 wickets at 30.80 on these shores during the 2009 Ashes tour.
Playing regularly at Trent Bridge, his ability to swing and seam the ball should help him cash in during early season, when there can often be significant reward for those able to dart the ball around.
Siddle celebrates at Trent Bridge
2. No guts, no glory
Of course, it’s not always going to be plain sailing. Later on in the season when the conditions are warmer and the wickets harder and flatter, bowling in England can become a thankless task amid bucket-loads of runs.
Even so, it’s unlikely to cause the workmanlike Siddle many sleepless nights. Boasting a nagging accuracy and single-minded approach, he has a proven record of keeping the pressure on the batsman, as demonstrated by an economy rate of 2.82 runs per over against England last summer.
If it’s a question of staying patient, out-thinking opposition batsmen and waiting for a mistake from them, then Siddle has shown he can be the man. He certainly won’t give anything up easily.
3. Seen it and got the t-shirt
Experienced players are vital in any successful team and Siddle has the matches and air miles under his belt to argue he’s seen it all.
Nottinghamshire have a triumvirate of seam bowlers all 25 or under in Andy Carter, Jake Ball and Luke Fletcher who were left without a senior pro’s guidance for parts of last summer in the absence of Adams through injury and with Franks no longer a regular.
Siddle can be the man to play that role this summer and his enthusiasm for the game is such that it is one he will relish rather than shy away from.
Some valuable advice, both out in the middle and in the nets, could make all the difference for those English players looking to fulfil their promise. They’d certainly be unwise not to listen.
4. Here for the long haul
Unlike many overseas signings, both around the county circuit and at Nottinghamshire, Siddle – at the time of writing, at least – will be available for the entire summer.
In a throw back to what some might dub the ‘good old days’ - when the dual impacts of the Indian Premier League and international cricket were far less wide-reaching - the Australian will not only be busting a gut to get Notts off to a flier in April, he’ll also still be here for what he hopes will be the title run-in in September.
As well as having an international player of undoubted class available for the maximum number of matches, the continuity it brings can only help too.
It can’t be easy to come in with the expectation to instantly perform, nor can Siddle be at the top of his game week in, week out.
This way, he has every opportunity to illustrate his worth over the course of a full campaign, even accounting for the odd hiccup in form or an injury setback.
5. One-day wonder
In winning the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition at Lord’s last summer, Nottinghamshire elevated themselves to the rank of the country’s best limited overs side outside of T20 cricket.
With Siddle, that winning formula could conceivably become even better.
While his first-class contributions will be Nottinghamshire’s primary concern, a bonus for them is that he has committed to playing in the new 50-over tournament too.
And when you read up on his record in one-day competition, while not earth-shattering, it is certainly not shabby either.
In particular his economy rate catches the eye both internationally (4.64) and domestically (4.73), making him a likely candidate to bowl at the death in high-pressure big-match situations.
Siddle in action for the Melbourne Renegades in this year's Big Bash League
6. Fighting fit
It’s one thing being a match-winning bowler, but it’s not much use if you spend most of your time sat on the physio’s couch.
Like any pace bowler, Siddle has suffered his fair share of injuries and his shoulder has been a particular issue prior to 2008, but those problems seem to occur far less frequently now than they have done in the past.
In recent years, the right-armer has rarely had to turn down the call of his country, suggesting he has become accustomed to managing his body and giving it the necessary rest at the right times.
Once April comes around, he should be ready to go again – putting more English batsmen in the firing line following his 16 at 24.12 in this winter’s Ashes series.
Nottinghamshire fans will only hope that Siddle can continue to spend more time on the field than in the stands when the County Championship whirs back into action.
7. Taking the strain
Since the departure of Ryan Sidebottom, it’s often been said that Nottinghamshire have lacked an opening, strike bowler to worry Division One’s best batsmen. Indeed, with Andre Adams only available for 11 of 16 four-day matches in 2013, many put it down as one of the primary reasons for a disappointing seventh place finish for the green and golds.
The same will not be said of the Notts attack this year. Siddle will give the temperament and technique of any county batsman a good going over and, in doing so, it will take the pressure off Adams and the others.
A supporting role for the likes of Fletcher, for instance, is much more likely to suit him rather than asking him to blast batsmen out, and there are others who fall into a similar category as well.
8. Bat’s the way to do it
There will be no talk of rabbits when Siddle walks to the wicket in a Nottinghamshire batting cause.
You do not have a first-class century to your name without a fair degree of skill, so his 103 not out for Australia A against Scotland last June deserves respect.
Siddle also scored consecutive fifties against Indian in Delhi in March of last year, underlining that while his batting is very definitely a secondary part of his game, it is a component he works on nonetheless.
It’s a tall order to expect anything in the Franklyn Stephenson mould – nor will he expected to perform the kind of heroics produced by the West Indian all-rounder – but a meaningful score here and there might just tip the scales in Nottinghamshire’s favour during pivotal games.
Ready for action
9. Hungry Like the Wolf
The one thing all the best players have in common in any sport is an ongoing desire to succeed.
What made Sachin Tendulkar such a force for so many years was that he allied his natural ability to a desire to score big runs in every single match he played in.
Watching Siddle in action, it’s clear that he has that same hunger, which has already elevated him above many of his peers.
It’s fair to say that the county circuit is far less glamorous than the stage he is used to playing on for Australia, while the weather is also sure to be a great deal less inviting than your typical Aussie summer, but you suspect it won’t make any difference.
If you possess that competitive streak, you want to win whether it’s a second XI practice game or a County Championship decider… and there’s no doubting Siddle is a born competitor.
10. Feeling peaky
At 29, Siddle is arguably at the peak of his powers, making him someone you’d rather have on your side rather than lining up against you.
He’s at age where he’s built up a comprehensive bank of experience. He knows all the nuances and tricks of the trade, taking things from some of the very best Australian players and coaches.
But at the same time, Siddle is far from a journeyman performer who is flying to these shores to wind down his playing career. There are plenty more chapters of this particular story still left to write.
How Nottinghamshire would love for one of those to be about his contribution to a County Championship title-winning campaign at Trent Bridge.