Australia seamer Peter Siddle has signed a two-year deal at Essex after a couple of successful spells at the club this season.

Siddle ended his latest stint at Essex following the defeat to Surrey at Chelmsford this week, having taken his wickets tally to 37 in seven County Championship Division One matches this year.

The 33-year-old, whose international career has comprised of 62 Tests, 17 one-dayers and two Twenty20s, will return to Australia but has signed a new contract with the county until the end of the 2020 season.

The news comes in the same week as Essex announcing a fresh three-year deal for Alastair Cook, who will end his record-breaking England career at the end of the Test series against India.

Siddle said: “I have loved my time at the club so far with the players and staff giving me a great welcome, and I really feel part of the team at Essex. As an overseas player, I am always committed to taking the whole experience in and not just picking up my money and being on my way at the end of a contract.

“There is a wealth of talent in this squad who are hungry for more success and I am thrilled that I can join them for a further two seasons and be part of it.
I’m also really excited to play alongside Cooky, we’ve had some really great battles in the past and it’s going to be fun to play on the same side as him rather than against him.”