Siddle eyes comeback

Peter Siddle will be hoping to regain the form that earned him 20 Ashes wickets when he returns from a back problem

Australia’s forgotten man Peter Siddle believes he can put his injury woes behind him and return a more rounded paceman when he resumes bowling.

The 25-year-old broke down with back stress fractures in February but hopes to be fully fit in time to represent Victoria in the Champions League in India in September.

Although he is unavailable for next month's two-Test series against Pakistan in England, he could return for a Test series in India in October should it be added to the Future Tours Programme.

Siddle will step up his comeback in the nets with Victoria next week and is taking inspiration from Australia team-mate Mitchell Johnson as he looks to put an end to his fitness problems.

“Probably the body over the last few years was not in the shape that I would have liked and which probably is required to play Test cricket,” said Siddle.

“If you look at Johnson and the shape he is in, he has performed well for three years straight. He has been the only one up until now injury free. Credit to him and the way he got his body ready.

“That's something that I have worked hard on over the last few months. Hopefully I have done enough right.”

Siddle has tinkered with his action but believes maintaining fitness will be the key to ensuring there is no relapse of the stress fractures.

“There has been a little bit that I have had to change but mainly the biggest thing was when I got tired bowling those 20 to 25 overs in a day, the action changed slightly,” he said.

“It is just a matter of maintaining the strength and condition more than anything in those latter periods of the day.”

When he does return, Siddle is confident he will have a greater arsenal at his disposal.

“As a fast bowler, you are always trying to work on some new trick, or something that you can add to your game,” he added.

“For me, it's a little bit of swing and a few different things for Twenty20 cricket.

"It will be something that I will work on once I get back into the bowling phase of things and into the nets and try and progress into something new so when I come back I have that added extra.”