Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to confirm that Overseas fast bowler, Peter Siddle, has been presented with his Essex Cap on Day One of the LV= Insurance County Championship match versus Warwickshire.
The Australian quick received his Cap during the Lunch interval surrounded by his teammates and in front of a Hayes Close End crowd which featured Essex Cricket Members for the first time since September 2019 when Surrey were beaten by an innings and 40 runs at Chelmsford.
Siddle was due to play for Essex Eagles during the 2012 T20 campaign but injury prevented the Victorian from competing and his contract cancelled. The Aussie quick would eventually make his debut for Essex six years later when he featured for the County as the Overseas player in the second half of the 2018 season, taking over the reins from Neil Wagner.
After returning to the Chelmsford outfit in 2019, Siddle made a significant contribution to the red-ball side which saw Essex lift a second County Championship title in three years, when he took 34 wickets in eight matches at an average 20.08.
His performances for Essex caught the eye of the Australian selectors and Siddle was duly called up for the Ashes Series of 2019 which meant the Victorian would miss the drama of a final day battle in Taunton. Siddle’s contribution to the Championship success did not go unrecognised and was recorded in the history books with a life-size cardboard cutout in his absence.
Shortly after receiving his Cap, Siddle spoke of his surprise of the award: “Receiving my Cap is amazing, I love playing for the Club.”
“I know I am getting towards the back end of my career, but to be able to play with a great group of guys and have success on the field, that is what it is all about. That’s why I continue to play.
“Some of the guys have become very close mates.”
WATCH: PETER SIDDLE AWARDED COUNTY CAP
Siddle returned to the Club in 2021 after his contract was deferred for a year in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Siddle remains an important component of the side and an influential and supportive presence in the dressing room. He will wear cap number 164.
