Essex County Cricket Club can today confirm that Peter Siddle has returned to Australia for personal reasons and will miss the rest of the 2021 campaign.
The 36-year-old took 20 wickets in the LV= Insurance County Championship this year, with his best figures of 6/38 coming in the rain-affected draw with Warwickshire at Chelmsford last month.
The former Australia international recently became the 164th player to be awarded their Essex County Cap, and on his departure, he said: “I’m sad to be leaving Chelmsford early as I love playing for Essex.
“I’ve got some great friends in the dressing room and they’re a great bunch to be around and play cricket with. I’ve built some really strong bonds with the guys, so it’s upsetting that I have to go home, but hopefully in the future I can come back and play some more cricket for this great Club.
“I know I’m getting to the back end of my career, but I’ve still got some playing time left. We’ll see what happens in the coming months and in the build-up to the 2022 season, but fingers crossed there’s still a little bit more cricket to be played for Essex.”
Watch: Peter Siddle Departs
Essex Head Coach Anthony McGrath also said: “Peter is a model professional so it’s obviously disappointing that we’re losing a player of his calibre.
“He’s a great figure in the dressing room and a leader on the field. He’s been amazing with the younger bowlers and has always offered support and advice, and when playing he’s contributed with some important wickets.
“He’s a fierce competitor and always gives it his all, but we wish him nothing but the best and hopefully we see him back at Chelmsford soon.”
