Lehmann: Siddle needs to bowl quicker

Peter Siddle

Siddle was dropped for the series decider against South Africa in Cape Town - which got under way on Saturday - in favour of James Pattinson.

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And Lehmann admitted that the 29-year-old's lack of pace had been behind the decision.

It is the first time since November 2012 that Siddle has not featured for Australia in the longer format of the game, during which he has taken 62 wickets and was a vital part of the side that regained the Ashes earlier this year.

Lehmann blamed the pitches in South Africa for Siddle's lack of impact in the series - he has taken five wickets for 273 runs - but expects the bowler to be back in the side when the conditions suit his style.

"He's fully fit, we just wanted the extra pace and James (Pattinson) gives us that," Lehmann told the Cricket Australia website after the end of the first day at Newlands.

"They're producing wickets which don't have much grass on them and take reverse so we want the extra pace here and he's a fresh bowler, which is great.

"(It's) unlucky for Sids because he's done a great job for us over the last few Tests but we've gone for the extra pace.

"He would like some more wickets obviously but it's the pace drop. We need him bowling 140(kph) and at the moment he's averaging 131,132.

"He knows that, we've spoken to him and I'm sure he will be back bigger and stronger."

Dropped paceman Peter Siddle watches from the dressing room at Newlands. Photo: Getty

Siddle is not the only player to miss the final Test, with Shaun Marsh replaced by Shane Watson after defeat in Port Elizabeth.

Lehmann admitted Marsh, who scored 148 in the opening Test, was unlucky to lose his place in the side, but felt Watson's all-round ability gave him the edge.

"We love to have five bowlers," he added. "It's nice to have the all-rounder back, which gives us another option.

"Shaun is very unlucky but at the start of the tour we were probably going to shape up as we have today."

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