‘This is the fittest that I have ever been’

MELBOURNE: Most bowlers in international cricket feel elated after picking up the prized scalp of Sachin Tendulkar – widely regarded as the world’s best batsman, ever after Don Bradman.

Australian pacer Peter Siddle, who dismissed the Indian legend twice during the first Test at the MCG, however, refused to get carried away by his unique feat. “It is always nice to get a wicket. Sachin’s scalp is a big one. Getting him twice in a match sure feels good, but I am not getting carried away. Hopefully, I will get him again, or may be one of the other boys will. The idea is to keep picking wickets and winning matches,” Siddle said on Friday, the day after helping Australia win the first Test by 122 runs.

Asked about the secret behind getting Sachin, Siddle said: “There is no big secret. The two dismissals were totally different. He was bowled once and on the other occasion he was caught. Just bowled him a couple of good deliveries and created some pressure. As a bowling unit, we are always trying to do that.” Siddle disclosed that when he runs in to bowl, it doesn’t matter whether it is Sachin facing up or someone else. “At that point, he is just another player. Wickets matter in cricket. Whether you get No. 11 or No. 1, it is still one wicket,” Siddle explained.

How did he feel when played the upper cut against him and the ball landed over the boundary rope? “You mean, he edged it over the boundary?” Siddle remarked. “Look, he is a great player and obviously plays that shot well, but I don’t mind because it involves an element of risk,” he added.

The right-arm quick dismissed notions that Australian pacers had tried to intimidate Indian batsmen. “I would like to think that we did, but on a serious note, I just feel that we are doing a lot of things right at the moment. Our bowling partnership has worked. We like to go hard at them and get wickets,” Siddle said, adding that after a long while he is feeling on top of his game. “I have always worked hard. It is all coming together now. The body is feeling nice and strong. This is the fittest that I have ever been. Hopefully, I can keep improving and performing,” Siddle said.

Siddle also allayed fears that sledging could be an issue during the ongoing series after getting into an altercation with Rahul Dravid during the MCG Test. “It’s okay to show a bit of emotion on the field. I was disappointed with my no-ball (to him), but there is no question of it spilling over. We know how far we can go and we also know how to control our emotions,” he reassured.

Siddle praised new coach Mickey Arthur and bowling coach Craig McDermott for showing the way. “He (Arthur) is a tremendous coach,” Siddle said. “His knowledge of the game is outstanding and the way he communicates with individuals and works with players is great as well. We had a disappointment down in Hobart, but we are going forward.”