LONDON: Australian Test seamer Peter Siddle will be Lancashire’s overseas player for the 2015 season, the English Division Two county announced on Thursday.

The 30-year-old, dropped by Australia during last December’s Test series win over India, will return to England for a second consecutive summer after playing for Nottinghamshire last year.

“We are delighted to have brought in Peter Siddle to strengthen our bowling attack,” said Lancashire cricket director Ashley Giles on the club’s website.

“Peter is a world-class bowler with a tremendous pedigree, and having him available for such an extended period will give our County Championship campaign a real boost.

“He has previous experience of playing in English conditions and I am looking forward to him adding some additional quality to our squad.”

Siddle, who has claimed 192 wickets in 56 Tests, is well known to English cricket fans, having been a member of the Australia squad that whitewashed England in the 2013-14 Ashes.

He took 37 wickets for Nottinghamshire in 2014 and is closing on the landmark of 400 victims in first-class cricket.

“I enjoyed my time in England last season with Nottinghamshire and when I heard of Lancashire’s interest I had no hesitation in speaking with Ashley, “Siddle said. “I am looking forward to playing my cricket at Emirates Old Trafford, which is such a fantastic international cricket ground.”

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2015

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