Siddle Finds Constant Comments on His Vegetarian Diet Weird

Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle attributed his improved stamina to his decision to skip eating meat but admitted that he finds the constant speculation over his vegetarian diet weird. Commentators and former players, including Dennis Lillee, have questioned Siddle's decision to give up meat, some wondering if it contributed to him pulling out of the series-deciding Test in Perth against South Africa.

However Siddle said he's had no second thoughts about his diet, even after his exhaustion following 63.5 overs following James Pattinson's injury in the drawn Adelaide Test.

"I struggled (before) to bowl over 50 overs so, to bowl 64, I think that's an improvement. So I'm probably in a better place than I ever was," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Siddle, as saying.

"For people to say that's the problem and that's the reason why (I withdrew), they're the ones kidding themselves. They're not the ones out there having to do it and having to go through it," he added.

"To still be bowling 140 Ks in my 64th over at the end of the fifth day in a Test match, that probably shows the improvements," he said.

Siddle is back to lead the Australian attack in the first Test against the Lankans in Hobart, but isn't expecting the commentary on his food choices to go away.

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"It is a little bit weird. That's their opinion. I think everyone's entitled to an opinion and it's going to happen," Siddle said.

Source-ANI