Pattinson backs Siddle to step up for Ashes

Sydney: Australian fast bowler James Pattinson has backed his older fast-bowling partner Peter Siddle to be ready for the Ashes, despite the paceman lacking his usual form in the tour match against Somerset.

Pattinson and Mitchell Starc have staked strong claims for spots in Australia`s attack for the first Test at Trent Bridge collecting 13 wickets between them for the match. However, the duo require someone to complement them with long, relentless spells, especially when conditions are not conducive to movement, which is where Peter Siddle comes in, given that he had almost bowled himself beyond the point of exhaustion against South Africa in Adelaide despite his poor form in Taunton. Stating that he believes that Siddle is just warming into the tour, his state and club teammate Pattinson said that although Siddle did not bowl as per expectations at Taunton, he is a good player and had bowled well on the A tour, adding that he is confident that he will step up for the first Test. According to Pattinson, Siddle is one of those players who knows his body quite well, adding that he may have faltered in the Taunton game given that he is quite older than either himself or Starc and may have been saving himself for the long, five Tests ahead. Pattinson further said that Siddle, who has also played two first-class games for Australia A for a modest haul of three wickets at 39, is also a player that comes in handy when the wicket is flat, adding that Siddle has been a great bowler for a number of years now and is likely satisfied by his current position. Pattinson is likely to sit out the second warm-up game next week at Worcester, where Ryan Harris and Jackson Bird are expected to play, and the shape of the attack will become clearer. ANI