Peter Siddle Seals Victoria’s Dramatic Sheffield Shield Win Over Western Australia

Peter Siddle ended his first-class career in style, taking the final wicket to secure Victoria’s 34-run victory over Western Australia and crushing their hopes for a fourth consecutive Sheffield Shield title.

The decisive moment came when Campbell Kellaway pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at fine leg to dismiss Cameron Gannon in the final moments of the match at the WACA.

Siddle, 40, has confirmed that he will retire from Sheffield Shield cricket despite Victoria’s efforts to persuade him to continue for another season.

His farewell was fitting, as he sealed the win with the last wicket late in the final session of the season’s concluding game.

The right-armer had announced at the beginning of the summer that the 2024-25 season would be his last, with his two-year contract from 2023 set to expire at the season’s end.

Despite his strong form across formats this season—highlighted by a career-first five-wicket haul in one-day cricket and bowling at speeds up to 148 kph in the Big Bash—captain Will Sutherland and coach Chris Rogers admitted they had tried to persuade him to play on.

Guard of Honour for a Cricketing Legend

Siddle will continue playing for the Melbourne Stars in the KFC BBL|15 after signing a one-year contract.

Both Victoria and Western Australia gave him a guard of honour as he left the WACA Ground on Tuesday evening. His 4-68 in the second innings dashed Western Australia’s hopes of a fourth consecutive title.

His final wicket brought his first-class tally to 792, making him the highest wicket-taking Australian fast bowler since Michael Kasprowicz, who retired with 959 wickets in 2008.

Siddle’s 332 Sheffield Shield wickets place him among the top 15 all-time in the competition. Having debuted for Victoria in 2005 and reached 1,000 professional wickets last year, Siddle ended his final Shield season with 24 wickets at an average of 19.62 from five matches.

Final Moments of Glory

Siddle’s farewell was nothing short of dramatic. With Victoria needing one wicket to secure victory and Western Australia requiring 35 runs from 18 balls, Corey Rocchiccioli attempted to swing big.

Sutherland handed the ball to Siddle for the third-last over. On his second delivery, Rocchiccioli edged it to Peter Handscomb behind the stumps, and Siddle was immediately surrounded by his jubilant teammates.

That final wicket—number 792—marked the end of a remarkable first-class career. Despite post-game suggestions from Sutherland that he might “twist his arm” to play another season, Siddle made it clear he was done with red-ball cricket.

Tributes and Recognition

Chris Rogers, a former Test teammate and now Victoria’s coach, paid tribute to Siddle’s career. “I almost feel like trying to re-sign him, but he assures us he is done,” Rogers said.

“What a career. In our quick chat after the game, Marcus Harris said he’s a great of Australian cricket—and he actually is. There’s not too many of them going around.”

“To be involved in his last game is pretty special,” Rogers added. “To see him get some runs, get the first wicket in his first over, and then get the last wicket—you can’t write that script. I’m really happy for him.”

Siddle’s longevity as a fast bowler is rare. Most pacers slow down after 35, but Siddle remained effective even at 40, hitting speeds of 148 kph this season.

In addition to his Shield success, he claimed 12 wickets in the Big Bash League at an economy rate of under eight and took 17 wickets in eight List A games, topping the tournament’s wicket tally.

A Storied Career

Siddle’s career is one of the most decorated in Australian cricket. He played 67 Tests for Australia, taking 221 wickets, including eight five-wicket hauls and a famous Ashes hat-trick on his birthday.

His white-ball career was shorter—20 ODIs and two T20Is—but his red-ball dominance made him a cornerstone of Australian cricket for nearly two decades.

Siddle debuted for Victoria in 2005 against the West Indies in Melbourne. His journey came to an end at the WACA in Perth nearly 20 years later.

Across 231 first-class games, he took 792 wickets—a remarkable tally that speaks to his consistency and resilience.

Over the last eight years, only Michael Kasprowicz has taken more first-class wickets for Australia than Siddle. His 332 Sheffield Shield wickets place him among the top 15 in the competition’s history.

The Perfect Farewell

Siddle’s final game reflected the essence of his career: hard work, resilience, and match-winning performances. Taking seven wickets across both innings in his last game, he ensured Victoria’s victory with a dramatic last-ball dismissal.

Even though Siddle is stepping away from first-class cricket, he will continue playing T20 cricket and may take up a coaching role with Victoria next season.

“Definitely an incredible career,” Sutherland said. “We’re still trying to convince him to go around again next season. It’s a bit of a fairytale finish, and I’m so happy for him. He’s given so much to Victorian cricket. It’s been a privilege for me to play the start of my career with him.”

A Red-Ball Warrior

Peter Siddle’s legacy is that of a relentless and dedicated cricketer. His ability to remain effective well into his 40s sets him apart from most pacers. While his first-class career is over, his impact on Australian cricket will be remembered for years to come.