Former Australian seamer Jason Gillespie has backed senior fast bowler Peter Siddle to return to the national team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Siddle last represented Australia in 2019 during the fifth Test of the Ashes series in England at The Oval, while his last T20 appearance for the country came back in 2010 against Sri Lanka.
Despite his a long absence from international cricketGillespie believes Siddle could be an ideal option for Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, especially if any of the leading fast bowlers suffer injuries.
Responding to a post on X that praised Siddle’s performances, Gillespie highlighted how short-term thinking can prove effective in T20 cricket and suggested the experienced seamer could be a valuable option for Australia during the tournament.
“It wouldn’t be the worst option if one of the seamers gets injured before WC T20. If there’s a format where short-term (here and now) thinking is okay, it’s T20,” Gillespie wrote on his X account, tagging @stillnotoutpod and @BowlingCartel.
X post by Jason Gillespie (source: @dizzy259)
Siddle is currently in terrific form in the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26, Australia’s premier domestic T20 competition. The 41-year-old is the top wicket-taker in the tournament so far while also representing the Melbourne Stars, taking ten wickets from five innings at an impressive average of 13.60 and an economy rate of 6.80.
Siddle has only featured in two T20 Internationals for Australia so far, taking three wickets. In his overall T20 career, the veteran seamer has taken 163 wickets from 136 innings at an average of 22.36 and an economy rate of 7.74, including two five-wicket hauls.
With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood currently racing against time to regain full fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup, Australia could be forced to consider a replacement in their 15-man squad. However, a return for Siddle still appears unlikely, given his age and prolonged absence from international cricket.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
January 3, 2026
