A lot has changed in Peter Siddle's life for the better since the seasoned campaigner was triumphantly named in the Sheffield Shield team of the year in only March.
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Retirement from the Test arena during the midst of the summer could have spelled the death knell in the long version of the game.
But rather than join the trend and sign up to every possible Twenty20 franchise around the globe, Siddle is living life on his terms.
The heart-and-soul worker when with the seam in hand over more than a decade for Australia alone stretched his red-ball playing days another two seasons with Tasmania.
The signature Cricket Tasmania eagerly anticipated came after giving the Victorian stalwart plenty of time to think in isolation.
The time at home with influential wife Anna Weatherlake was something that Siddle has appreciated more than most.
"The pandemic as sad as it's been and as horrible as it's been for everyone around the world, for older athletes like me it has been a little bet of a blessing," Siddle said.
"I was originally supposed to be in the UK playing cricket, so this is going to be my first break in about four years.
"The little freshen up after those few years I think will give me a little more longevity.
"I have got no worry in obviously being up, fit and ready to go for more cricket.
"The fact we are having this time off being able to freshen up the body, I found a few new hobbies along the way in the last couple of months that have really got me fit and strong. So I am really looking forward to the cricket side of things starting up."
Siddle's passion for playing the game has forced the 35-year-old to find new ways over the years to shrug off shoulder injuries that hampered his early part of a brilliant career.
There was one activity the unashamed vegan known for is banana intake never had the time until a period in which isolation goes hand in hand with the solitary pursuit.
"I have always been addicted to the sort of ironman and triathlon sports," Siddle said.
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"I have always read up on them and been very fascinated with them as athletes.
"So as soon as Covid hit, I decided to spend the next two months turning into a triathlete for that bit of time we all had.
"Obviously, to stay fit but also you know try something I have always wanted to do.
"I've pretty much now done four different triathlons in the past couple of months, and I am feeling fit and just loving it."
Siddle has a spring in his step and could be one of the few cricketers to not only take up the sport, but also bowl on to close to 40.
The stellar season that had the Shield spearhead back in line for Test honours against New Zealand took 32 wickets at 19.87 from eight games to prove that age is just a mindset should fitness not be an issue.
So playing for Tasmania is not really a part of edging into some sort of retirement plan.
"That's the thing - it's an initial two-year deal and no one knows what's going to happen after that," Siddle said.
"Whether I continue to play, I don't even know. I have always been for saying you're a long time retired, so you have to make the most of it when you can.
"While I am still loving and enjoying it, which is where I am now, I have got two years to consider, but who knows after that.
"It might be a third, but at the end of the day there is a lot of young guys around the country coming up and through the ranks.
"So if I can help them playing on down there, they could also push me out.
"That's the ideal world because it means Tasmania and Australia is in a good position for pushing me out of the way."
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