Dubai: Senior Australian pacer Peter Siddle, who stifled the run flow from the Pakistan batsmen despite all odds stacked against the bowlers, said he was familiar with the challenges here.
“Over here, it’s always challenging cricket. To win a Test match, it’s always a long haul and you have to dig in. I think the credit should go to Pakistan in the first two sessions, they dug in and put us under a lot of pressure. We tried different things but they dug in. I think credit also has to go to us for going to tea at none for 200 and then to finish at three for 250 in the third session. I think that’s credit to us and gives us the platform for a good start tomorrow.”
Siddle revealed that team remained positive despite Pakistan building a huge opening partnership at tea. “We were still positive. I mean they batted well I think the wicket had not offered a lot. There was not a lot of movement as such, so we knew we just have to keep grinding and we got close to getting the reverse swing.
“However, it probably took us a bit longer on a day one wicket. It’s always a lot harder but as we saw this evening once the ball starts reversing, we had a source of making inroads. I think the boys stuck together and built some really good partnerships through the whole final session. I think that’s credit to the bowling group.”
Talking about his bowling partnership with his team’s spinners, Siddle said: “It’s always about maintaining pressure. I have done a lot of bowling with the spinners, especially with Nathan (Lyon), bowling long spells. And we have had great impacts and it’s very crucial for the team. It was nice to get that breakthrough. Like I said, everyone around that last session bowled superbly. The last session pretty much summed up what have been working on for the past couple of weeks over here. The hard work we have been doing is paying off.”
Siddle is not unduly bothered about conditions. “It’s always a tough challenge in different Asian conditions. You have dig in with the heat but I think you know the boys handled it really well. Today was in fact was one of the cool days since we arrived here. It was quite refreshing actually to walk out there this morning and little less humidity. So that was nice for the boys but yes, it’s going to be how we back up tomorrow.”
Siddle also commented on the three players who made his debut and also his own comeback. “It’s been 10 years since I made my own debut. It’s such a nice feeling when you are presented with the cap. As for me, it’s just another opportunity. I always love playing for Australia. In recent times, I have just concentrated on performing wherever I have played and today was a nice little reward for what I have done in the last 18 months. So it was really nice to walk out there with those three young guys who are just starting their journey.”
