Peter Siddle and Dan Christian named Prime Minister’s XI co-captains
Peter Siddle and Dan Christian have been bestowed with the honour of together leading the Prime Minister’s XI in a T20 game to be held next month against Sri Lanka. The PM Scott Morrison highlighted the duo’s contribution to the sport in the country while Greg Chappell also heaped praise on them.
For the first time in Australian cricket history, two players will be captaining the Prime Minister’s XI together in a match. The team is set to face Sri Lanka in a T20 at the Manuka Oval, Griffith on the 24th of next month, with veterans Peter Siddle and Dan Christian as the team’s co-captains.
"Peter and Dan have not only been outstanding cricketers over a number of years, they have also been ambassadors and leaders of the game domestically and overseas," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a CA media release, reported Times Now.
Both the players have in the past represented the Kangaroos in the international stage and are acclaimed names in the domestic circuit where they have been consistent performers for long now. 34-year-old SIddle had made his domestic debut way back in 2005, while Christian, who is two years older had played his first game for the New South Wales just a year later.
"I want to thank Peter and Dan for taking on the role of co-captains so that they can mentor the younger members of the squad who will likely be a mix of players on the cusp of selection at state or international level," he added.
A right-arm fast-medium player with a knack for picking wickets, SIddle had been named the ICC’s Emerging Player of the Year a decade ago and has since represented the national team 67 Tests and 20 ODIs, picking a total of 238 wickets. Christian on the other hand is a balanced all-rounder who has a similar bowling style but is more renowned for his consistent, powerful-hitting. He is much sought after in the T20 leagues around the world and has played 19 ODIs and 16 T20Is, in which he had achieved mild success.
"Dan has a wealth of leadership experience at domestic level both at home and abroad while Peter has displayed exceptional leadership qualities both on and off the field throughout his career," CA National Talent Manager, Greg Chappell stated.
