Siddle lapping up life at Lord's

Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle said it was a dream come true to be at Lord's and that he could not wait to play his first Test at the 'home of cricket'.

Siddle is widely expected to keep his place in the Australia side that drew the Ashes series opener in Cardiff last weekend after some fiery spells on a placid pitch when the ground stages the second of the five-match series starting here on Thursday.

For some players the history associated with Lord's can be overwhelming while, on a more practical level, the eight foot slope accross the ground can make life tricky for newcomers be they batsmen or bowlers.

Australia has a longstanding love affair with Lord's, having not lost a Test at the north-west London venue since 1934.

And now 24-year-old Victoria quick Siddle hopes he too can join the likes of Australia pace predecessors Bob Massie, who took 16 wickets on his Test debut here in 1972 and Glenn McGrath, who 12 years ago took eight for 38, in making his mark at Lord's.

"The boys are keen to get out and get a feel of this famous ground, because half of us have not played here before," Siddle said as he took in his new surroundings for the first time here on Tuesday.

"I have spoken to many people about the ground, including 'Pigeon' (McGrath) and the first thing I looked at was the slope, where the wickets were placed, and it is really something. You can't really believe what it is like until you see it for yourself.

"It is amazing to be able to get out and have a look around.

"I cannot wait to run out there on the first day."

Siddle added: "We have spoken about the tradition of it, how famous it is to play here at this ground, and we thrive on that.

"It is the Boxing Day Test back home (in Melbourne), and then it is the Lord's Test when we come over here.

"We love playing here and just want to do well.

"We have all seen the greats here, and when Glenn McGrath took eight wickets, it was one of the greatest pieces of bowling I have ever watched.

"To get the opportunity to run out there now and hopefully replicate something similar is great."

Australia are again set to be without fast bowler Brett Lee after the veteran missed the drawn series opener in Cardiff where England's last-wicket duo of James Anderson and Monty Panesar survived for the final 40 minutes to deny Ricky Ponting's Ashes holders what had seemed a certain win.

"It is a shame we could not finish it off in Cardiff, but there were some good efforts with the bat and ball and we are now looking forward to this next Test," Siddle said.