Peter Siddle bids farewell to first-class cricket with 792 wickets
Even at 40, Peter Siddle was still clocking 148 km/h and dominating with the ball. After an impressive season across all formats, the Australian pacer has finally decided to retire from first-class cricket.
Victoria’s coach Chris Rogers and captain Will Sutherland made several attempts to convince him to stay, with Sutherland even admitting he’s still trying. But Siddle remains firm in his decision—this is the end. With his retirement, another chapter of Australian cricket history comes to a close.
Siddle, who played 67 Tests for Australia, had already stepped away from international cricket in 2019. Yet, he continued to be a force in domestic cricket, terrorizing batters with his fiery bowling. Now, the veteran pacer has drawn the curtain on his first-class career—his red-ball days are officially over.
His journey began in 2005 when he made his first-class debut for Victoria against the touring West Indies in Melbourne. Nearly two decades later, it ended at the WACA in Perth, with an incredible tally of 792 wickets from 231 matches.
Since Michael Kasprowicz’s retirement in 2008 with 959 wickets, no other Australian fast bowler has taken more first-class wickets than Siddle.
In Sheffield Shield, he finished with 332 wickets, placing him among the competition’s top 15 all-time wicket-takers. His career also saw 27 five-wicket hauls and 30 four-wicket hauls—the final five-for coming in his last-ever innings.
Facing Western Australia in his farewell match, Siddle took three wickets in the first innings and four more in the second, guiding Victoria to a thrilling 34-run victory. Fittingly, he claimed the final wicket of the match, meaning he signed off by taking a wicket with his very last ball.
Siddle didn’t just shine in his final game—he was outstanding throughout the season. Despite turning 40, his performances remained top-tier. Alongside playing for Victoria, he had also been mentoring the team’s young pacers. His pace, aggression, and wicket-taking ability never faded, proving he was still a match-winner.
This season, Siddle played five Sheffield Shield matches, taking 24 wickets. In the Big Bash League, he maintained an economy of under eight while grabbing 12 wickets. In the domestic One-Day Cup, he was the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in eight games, even claiming his first-ever List A five-wicket haul.
While most fast bowlers slow down after their mid-30s, Siddle remained sharp and relentless past 40, making it no surprise that Victoria was desperate to keep him.
At the end of the match, Victoria’s coach and Siddle’s former Australian teammate, Chris Rogers, paid tribute to the retiring pacer.
“I was seriously thinking about offering him another contract. But he assured me again—this is the end. What a phenomenal career! After the game, Marcus Harris (experienced opener) called him an Australian cricket great, and he truly is. There aren’t many like him anymore.”
“Being part of his final match was special. He scored some runs in the morning, took a wicket in his first over, and then claimed the last wicket of the match. I don’t think anyone could have scripted it better. I’m just really happy for him.”
Though Siddle is stepping away from first-class cricket, he will play one more season in the Big Bash League. He is also a strong candidate to become Victoria’s bowling coach next season.
During his international career, Siddle played 67 Tests for Australia, taking 221 wickets, including eight five-wicket hauls. He even took a memorable Ashes hat-trick on his birthday.
Despite being a Test specialist, he also represented Australia in 20 ODIs and two T20Is, though his greatest legacy remains in the longest format.
