3 minute read

Veteran paceman Peter Siddle was left full of admiration for Mitchell Starc after he battled through injury in Australia's second Test against Pakistan.

Peter Siddle has praised Mitchell Starc's fortitude under duress, admitting the Test series against Pakistan has been a struggle for his fellow quick.

Starc is battling tightness in his left hamstring and has barely bowled during the series-deciding second Test in Abu Dhabi.

The left-arm paceman sent down just seven out of 120 overs during Pakistan's second innings as Australia went to stumps on day three at 1-47, chasing a mammoth target of 538.

Starc was cleared by team medicos to play out the Test but appears likely to return home afterwards with Siddle held over as back-up for next week's T20s.

"He's pretty quiet and a pretty strong character so when things have popped up, he tries to keep it pretty low-key," Siddle said.

"He's kept it pretty close to his chest. Obviously you know he's struggling a little bit.

"To see him still fight and bowl when needed, I think it shows good character that he still wants to put in for the team and be out there for the boys."

Starc also battled debilitating cramps in both his calves and groins during the drawn first Test in Dubai and national selectors are wary of over-bowling the gun quick, who on talent is a near-automatic selection in all three formats.

The decision to hold back 33-year-old Siddle for the T20s against Pakistan leaves open the possibility he could add to his two T20 international caps.

Siddle played for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash last summer but has not represented Australia in the shortest format since 2010.

"(Coach Justin Langer) came to me yesterday in warm-up," he said.

"It's probably only been the last 12 months I've played an extended part of T20 but I got to go over to England and Canada. It was a nice little chat yesterday morning, so we'll see how we go but there's still a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.

"I'm just enjoying being around the Australian cricket team, whatever format that is."