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Bring on the barrackers says Siddle

The 24-year-old, who cites legendary Australia quick Glenn McGrath as one of his heroes, is relishing the prospect of his first series against Australia’s oldest foes, which gets underway in Cardiff next month.

Siddle, like McGrath and before him Merv Hughes, has become the Aussie quick opposition crowds love to hate and he positively seems to enjoy the role.

But he is more than just a ‘comic-book’ villain, with a record of 29 wickets in only seven Tests a testament to his underlying quality.

“I’m a no-holds-barred cricketer,” Siddle told reporters here on Wednesday. “I don’t hold back and charge in and try and bowl fast and consistently.

“I watched a lot of Glenn McGrath and Allan Donald when I was growing up and I’ve tried to take a little bit from those players and try and make it as a cricketer.”

Siddle made his mark by hitting India opener Gautam Gambhir on the helmet with his first ball in Test cricket before the Johannesburg crowd took against the 6ft 2in quick during Australia’s recent series win away to South Africa.

“I like to charge in, bowl the odd bouncer and try and bowl fast,” he said. “I did cop a little bit of grief when I was over in South Africa from the fans in a Merv Hughes-style so I think that’s where that comes from.

“It’s a good contest when the fans get into you and the batsman go after you. It made it much more of a challenge which was always exciting and I enjoyed it a lot.

“It’s something that happens in every country overseas. You always cop a bit of grief from the spectators and it’s something you have to live with and become accustomed to. It’s always going to be there and I suppose the way I bowl I’m probably going to cop a lot of it more often than not.”

Siddle, already in England as a member of the Australia squad for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20, is set to be a member of a new-look Test attack which will feature only two survivors - Brett Lee and Stuart Clark - from the line-up that helped Australia to an Ashes whitewash in 2007.

But Siddle believes the absence of retired greats McGrath and Shane Warne is something the current side can use to their advantage.

“There are a lot of blokes that haven’t played a lot of Test cricket and it’s a new beginning for us,” Siddle said.

“It worked over in South Africa when we had a number of new blokes there and they came straight in and performed well.

“The new blokes who have come into the squad here can come over and establish themselves as well and it’s going to be a good series.”

He added: “There’s always going to be a surprise factor with an inexperienced group and blokes that haven’t been seen much.”