Coach Adam Griffith has hit back at critics that have questioned Tasmania's logic for pursuing an ageing quick at the back end of his career.
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Peter Siddle inked a two-year deal during the week to provide not only back up for a promising pace attack, but leadership in the vacuum of George Bailey's retirement, and Tim Paine and Matthew Wade's Test duty obligations.
Griffith said Siddle's presence would not damage the state's young prospects, but boost Tasmanian chances of capturing its first Sheffield Shield title since March 2013.
"You need a lot of quicks to win the tournament - you don't win the Shield with three quicks, but you need a stable of six to eight," he said.
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The former Victorian, who retired from Test cricket after 67 appearances, will turn 36 before the start of summer.
But Siddle has freshened up during COVID-19 restrictions and only got even fitter.
"The one thing he'll bring is not only his smarts about cricket, his understanding of the game, his Test experience but how he goes about his preparation," Griffith said.
"It is well known throughout the cricket community the lengths he goes to just keep himself physically fit."
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