Siddle leaves Notts early

Peter Siddle, a key figure in Nottinghamshire's rise to the top of Division One, will not see out the season at Trent Bridge after being given notice of a recall by Cricket Australia.

Siddle had been expected to complete a full season of red ball cricket, but his central contract with his national team affords them the right to manage his workload and playing schedule.

Notts have responded by bolstering their prospects in limited-overs cricket by signing the highly-experienced New Zealand international James Franklin.

Siddle was dropped from the Australian team for the third Test of the series against South Africa in March after the coach Darren Lehmann highlighted his decline in pace over a period from 2011 to 2014 in which he had been a near constant in the Test match pace attack.

The national selectors have grown increasingly keen on ensuring players gain significant periods of rest, following the recent successes enjoyed by the refreshed Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin, among others, following lay-offs.

"Peter has been played a big part in some positive team performances in the County Championship," said Nottinghamshire's director of cricket Mick Newell.

"But it's a reality of signing centrally contracted players that their national boards have control of their availability and we appreciate the reasons behind this decision. I'd like to thank Peter for his contribution so far this season and have no doubt that he will continue to perform in the remaining time he has as a Nottinghamshire player."

Siddle will make his final appearance for Nottinghamshire against Lancashire in the game which begins on July 13.

Franklin will not feature in Friday's game against Derbyshire at Trent Bridge but will be available for seven remaining group matches as Notts, one of the fancied counties, seek to put right a mediocre start to the campaign. He will also be available to feature in the opening matches of their Royal London one-day cup campaign.

"James has been recommended to us by Stephen Fleming and Andre Adams as a player that fits the bill for us in terms of talent and versatility," said Newell.

"He'll bat in the lower middle order for us but he has batted much higher in T20 cricket around the world. A player like James gives us lots of options as he can play as one of our three main quick bowlers or take an all-rounder spot so he's not directly threatening the selection of any particular individual."

Newell added that Nottinghamshire will look at their options for a further replacement later in the season.

"Cricket Australia did not go into too many specifics about why they want Peter back but that is their prerogative but they are allowing him to play three more games, for which we are grateful," he said.

"But we have a long gap between going to Liverpool on July 16 and Northants on August 15, which will give us time to reassess before the last few games of the season and look around at who is available."