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Australian cricket's veteran workhorse Peter Siddle really does seem to be getting better with age.
- Former Australian Test bowler Peter Siddle has reached a career milestone, playing for English county side Somerset in his 200th first-class match at the age of 37
- Siddle is believed to be the first Australian to reach 200 first-class matches in his career since Michael Kasprowicz in 2004
- The oldest Australian still playing in the County Championship is Glamorgan's Michael Hogan, at the age of 41
Just ask English batters.
The 37-year-old has marked his 200th first-class game — a rare feat in itself in an era dominated by one-day fare — by producing a familiar performance of skill and guile for his latest county, Somerset.
It's two-and-a-half years since he played the last of his 67 Tests at the Oval, but he was back there on Saturday, still entertaining English crowds with his excellent 6-51 off 26 probing overs to help bowl out Surrey.
Siddle — whose victims included England's Sam Curran and Ben Foakes — may have to produce something similar on Sunday's final day, when Surrey are likely to be chasing a target under 250 in their second knock.
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However, Siddle — who's now taken 687 first-class wickets in 200 matches at an average of 26.47 — is looking more than ever like a master with the red ball, some 17 years since he made his first-class debut for Victoria.
The man who took 221 Test scalps is still a formidable opponent for any English wannabe opener as he's shining for his fourth English county in his sixth season in England.
It's believed he's the first Australian quick to reach the 200- game milestone since Michael Kasprowicz in 2004.
He's not, however, the oldest Aussie bowler playing in the English game, with Glamorgan's Michael Hogan still going strong at nearly 41 years of age.
Siddle recently attributed his longevity and improved consistency to taking up a vegan diet over the past decade.
Meanwhile, another evergreen paceman, Jimmy Anderson — who's approaching his 40th birthday — grabbed his first wicket since England's ill-fated Ashes series, and his victim at Old Trafford was an Australian Test batter.
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Marcus Harris had been in fine form for Gloucestershire but Lancashire's Anderson dismissed him for just 7 in the second innings with a beautiful delivery that nipped steeply off a length and had the left-hander edging through to the wicketkeeper.
Gloucestershire ended the third day on 3-67, still 237 behind after Lancashire had declared on a massive 7-556.
Their total featured a mammoth career-best 231 from 25-year-old local lad Josh Bohannon, compiled patiently off 467 balls.
AAP