AUS vs NZ | Peter Siddle added to Australia squad; Kyle Jamieson replaces Lockie Ferguson
Australia have named Victorian pacer Peter Siddle as Josh Hazlewood's replacement in their 13-man squad for the Boxing Day Test following the latter's hamstring injury in the first Test. Meanwhile, New Zealand have named Auckland pacer and bolter Kyle Jamieson as Lockie Ferguson's replacement.
Peter Siddle will potentially have the chance to feature in yet another Boxing Day Test after being named as Josh Hazlewood's replacement for the second Test in Melbourne. Hazlewood damaged his hamstring after bowling just eight deliveries in the first Test and had to subsequently remain off the field for the rest of the Test. It was then revealed that the injury would rule the New South Wales pacer out of the entire series. Siddle will compete with fellow Victorian James Pattinson and Queenslander Michael Neser for a place in the Boxing Day Test XI.
"Peter has been brought in as a 13th player for Melbourne. He is a proven Test match performer with an exceptional knowledge of the MCG which will be a valuable part of our preparation," national selector Trevor Hohns was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis, who also lost a bowler in the form of Lockie Ferguson, have called up fiery Auckland pacer Kyle Jamieson as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson, who also did not feature in Days 2, 3 and 4 of the match due to a calf strain he picked up. Jamieson has featured in 25 first-class matches for Auckland, picking 72 wickets at an average under 28. With a batting average of 30 in List A cricket and almost 17 in FC cricket, the tearaway quick is also a handy lower-order batsman.
"It's an exciting opportunity for Kyle who has impressed in the Plunket Shield domestic four-day competition. "We've also been really encouraged by his progress in the NZC winter camps and his performances for New Zealand A. Standing at over two metres tall he obviously gets good bounce and brings something different to our other pace bowlers," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.
"We're all absolutely gutted for Lockie," he added. "He'd worked really hard to earn his Test debut and to have it cruelly halted by injury was truly unlucky. He'll return home to begin his recovery with an eye to India's tour of New Zealand starting in late January," he added.