Siddle has lost around 12-15 KM/H in the last two or three years. Siddle used to be standard around 140-145km/h and even touched on 150km/h at times. He is now a 129-135km/h bowler and at 29 years old should be at his absolute peak. His speeds have not only declined over the last few years but this series alone where as Harris and Johnson don't seem to be running out of steam.
In comparison, Mitchell Johnson who is three years older is bowling faster than he ever has before and Harris who is 5 years his senior is bowling mid 140's comfortably.
He's still bowling nice areas and taking the odd wicket but isn't the bowler he was and is now only a little above medium pace and is playing second fiddle to Johnson and Harris where as it was only a year or so ago that he was the spear head and a very good one at that.
With Pattinson, Bird, Cummings and Starc all on the comeback I have a feeling that he will be first cab off the rank when one of these bowlers returns to fitness and form.
IMO it's a fine example of the importance of diet for professional athletes. The requirements are so much higher than the regular person or the amateur sports person. I doubt that the amino acid, iron, protein etc requirements of a test cricketer can be maintained properly for optimal performance on his diet.
His diet goes against all sports science and since starting it he has lost excessive amounts of weight and his bowling speed has steadily declined. While some initial weight loss may have been beneficial, it's now catching up on him and threatens to end/shorten what has been an outstanding international career.
With Harris and Johnson going the way they are, if Pattinson returns to his best and bowling 145km/h+ accurate outswingers/seamers, I just don't see him competing with that.
Example, here is Siddle in his prime, not all that long ago, should be in his prime now at just 29 years of age:
In comparison, Mitchell Johnson who is three years older is bowling faster than he ever has before and Harris who is 5 years his senior is bowling mid 140's comfortably.
He's still bowling nice areas and taking the odd wicket but isn't the bowler he was and is now only a little above medium pace and is playing second fiddle to Johnson and Harris where as it was only a year or so ago that he was the spear head and a very good one at that.
With Pattinson, Bird, Cummings and Starc all on the comeback I have a feeling that he will be first cab off the rank when one of these bowlers returns to fitness and form.
IMO it's a fine example of the importance of diet for professional athletes. The requirements are so much higher than the regular person or the amateur sports person. I doubt that the amino acid, iron, protein etc requirements of a test cricketer can be maintained properly for optimal performance on his diet.
His diet goes against all sports science and since starting it he has lost excessive amounts of weight and his bowling speed has steadily declined. While some initial weight loss may have been beneficial, it's now catching up on him and threatens to end/shorten what has been an outstanding international career.
With Harris and Johnson going the way they are, if Pattinson returns to his best and bowling 145km/h+ accurate outswingers/seamers, I just don't see him competing with that.
Example, here is Siddle in his prime, not all that long ago, should be in his prime now at just 29 years of age:
