With Peter Siddle having pulled out as Nottinghamshire cricket’s overseas player this year, who would be his ideal replacement?
Siddle was diagnosed with stress fractures in his back last week and will no longer join Nottinghamshire for the 2016 season.
The 31-year-old had previously signed a two-year contract at Trent Bridge, but will now undergo a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
Siddle, who took 37 wickets at 31.48 during his previous spell with the Club in 2014, remains under contract at Trent Bridge for the 2017 campaign.
Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell confirmed he expects to sign a replacement in time for the start of the new season.
“It’s obviously disappointing, most importantly for Peter himself and we wish him well for his recovery,” he said.
“An experienced overseas bowler is a key position for us and we’re confident of signing a player of sufficient quality in time for the start of the season.”
Nottinghamshire already have Australian 32-year-old all rounder Dan Christian for the T20 Blast competition but are lacking an overseas player to play in all forms of the game.
We take a look at the best players that could replace Siddle this season based on him being a fast bowler with international experience.
Have your say on Twitter mentioning us using @Notts_TV.
Who could Notts’ overseas player be?
1. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Boult is currently rated as the best one day bowler in the world along with status as the seventh highest ranked test match bowler even after enduring a difficult test series where New Zealand lost 2-0 at home to rivals Australia.
2. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Starc is rated as the third best ODI bowler and ninth best test all rounder in the world and will be hoping to hit the ground running at domestic level before re-announcing himself onto the international scene against Sri Lanka in July.
3. Matt Henry (New Zealand)
Henry is a 24 year old New Zealand pace bowler underwent major back surgery in 2012 but is now the third best ODI bowler in the world and opened the bowling for his country in their recent 2-1 ODI series victory over Australia.
4. Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
The recently turned 25 year old is ranked as the eighth best test bowler and is one of the hottest prospects in world cricket, especially as he opened the bowling for Australia in their recent test series against New Zealand.
5. Morne Morkel (South Africa)
After causing England all sorts of problems in their recent tour of South Africa, Morkel is rated as the ninth best test bowler and seventh best ODI bowler and could make the ball work on a pancake.
Based on ICC player rankings as of February 26
Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley confirmed that Siddle will need a “significant amount of time away from the game” and that his rehabilitation process will be “lengthy.”
He added: “Whilst he is laid off with his current back injury, we will take the opportunity for Peter to have exploratory surgery on his left ankle to investigate and treat the cause of his ongoing ankle pain.
“Once that surgery is complete we will have a better idea of his prognosis and likely rehabilitation time frame.”
