Beer can wait until after Ashes battle

Australia paceman Peter Siddle will be happy to have a drink with his England opponents but only when the Ashes series is over and not before.

James Anderson revealed Monday that the Australians had snubbed England captain Alastair Cook's offer of a drink following the hosts' 169-run win in Cardiff on Saturday that put them 1-0 up in the five-match series heading into Thursday's second Test at Lord's.

But Siddle told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday that England swing bowler Anderson's position on the concept of socialising with the opposition had changed drastically since the 2013 Ashes in England.

"We were (invited). It's my fifth Ashes series and it's the first time anyone's ever gone to have a drink after one Test match," Siddle said.

"It's a little bit of an interesting story, especially from Jimmy considering at the Oval when the last time we had a drink he goes 'I don't know why we do this, I can't stand it'. Interesting comments, but you know what Jimmy's like.

"I've played four Ashes series and we've never had a drink after a Test match until the very last one, I don't think anything's going to change here."

Siddle, who did not play at Cardiff, is widely considered to be the front-runner to replace Mitchell Starc, who took seven wickets in the Welsh capital, if the left-arm paceman fails to recover from the ankle problem which appeared to be hampering him during the first Test.

But Siddle said Starc looked close to full fitness during Tuesday's training session.

"Starcy got through well today, bowled out in the middle off the long run, both ends, he's feeling good," said Siddle.

"I guess it's just a waiting game at the moment for myself. Everyone's fit at the moment which is nice."

"I'm feeling good, ready to go, and looking forward to my opportunity."
Source: AFP