Cricket Victoria would like to congratulate Peter Siddle on his outstanding first-class career and his lasting impact made on Victorian cricket.
The 40-year-old advised Cricket Victoria that the current season will mark the end of his First Class and List A career. Siddle remains contracted to the Melbourne Stars for the next BBL season.
After making his first-class debut against the West Indies in 2005, Siddle played 231 first-class matches, amassing 792 wickets at an average of 26.20.
Over his Victorian journey, Siddle was involved in two Sheffield Shield titles, a One-Day title, and a T20 Big Bash title, while also taking home Victoria's One-Day Player of the Season in 2017/18.
Hailing from Gippsland, Siddle was a product of the Latrobe Cricket Club, before later joining Dandenong Cricket Club in Victorian Premier Cricket.
Siddle officially announced himself to the cricketing world in 2007/08, when the paceman took 33 wickets at an average 15.75 in the Sheffield Shield, including capturing nine wickets against a star-studded NSW batting line-up in the final.
Siddle's breakout season quickly led to international honours, winning selection for Australia's 2008 tour of India, where he made his Test debut in Mohali, claiming Sachin Tendulkar with his maiden Test wicket, on the way to being eventually named ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
He would go on to play 67 Tests and 20 One-Day Internationals for Australia, taking a combined 238 wickets.
Siddle was a crucial member of the Victorian men's 2024/25 campaign, in what was the nineteenth and final season in his storied domestic career.
In addition to mentoring the next wave of talented Victorian bowlers Siddle took 24 wickets in the Sheffield Shield, and a competition-leading 17 wickets in the Dean Jones Trophy.
Siddle said the opportunity to represent his home state was a dream come true.
"Sadly, my time as an active Victorian player has come to a close, but it couldn't have finished any better," said Siddle.
"I've been lucky to have to such good people around me that have made the journey so fulfilling. I've worked with great coaches as well - Merv Hughes played a big part when I was younger and David Saker, who played a lot of first-class cricket but coached around the world and for Australia."
"I'm so grateful to have received the opportunity to represent Victoria and play the game I love for over twenty-years. I'd like to thank my teammates and all the coaches and support staff over the years who worked to make me a better player and keep me on the park. I'm excited for the next chapter, and chapter and couldn't have asked for more from my state career."
Cricket Victoria GM of High-Performance, Graham Manou, paid tribute to Siddle's Victorian career.
"Peter has been an outstanding contributor and ambassador for Victorian cricket for almost two decades now," said Manou.
"Peter should be extremely proud of his achievements for Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. The commitment he has made to the game and his ability to adapt and grow for an extended period fitness through to the age of 40 as a fast bowler is quite extraordinary."
Cricket Victoria CEO, Nick Cummins, thanked Siddle for his contribution in growing the sport across Australia.
"On behalf of Cricket Victoria I would like to congratulate Peter on an outstanding Sheffield Shield and One-Day career. Peter's achievements are well known. His journey from Gippsland to playing at the highest level is a classic cricket story and he remains an inspiration to young Victorian fast bowlers. We've been proud to call him one of our own and I am sure that Peter will continue to be an ambassador for our game well into the future."
