Australia's Siddle announces retirement

MELBOURNE: Veteran Australian bowler Peter Siddle announced his international retirement on Sunday after a 67-Test career, with national coach Justin Langer praising him as giving his “heart and soul” to the team.

The 35-year-old had been called up to the second Test squad in Melbourne but was not selected in the side to face New Zealand and decided to call it quits.

“Just being able to play, to walk out, wear the baggy green—I’d watched guys like Punter (Ricky Ponting), Steve Waugh, guys like that wear it, represent Australia,” he said. “Every time I stepped out was amazing, I don’t think I could pick one special one. At the end of the day, to play one is amazing, to end up playing what I did is truly special.”

Siddle, who played a key role in helping Australia retain the Ashes in England earlier this year, went to the Australian dressing room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to tell his teammates personally.

Siddle took 221 wickets from his 67 Tests including eight five-wicket hauls. He also played 20 one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.