Veteran fast bowler Peter Siddle hasn't given up on making his T20 International return for Australia even at such a late stage in his career, saying he is working hard in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2018-19 to be in contention for the national T20I selection.

The 34-year-old, who had an appreciable BBL season last year with 11 wickets in 11 games at an economy rate of 5.94), has even strongly begun the ongoing season, as he took four wickets including the scalps of Jos Buttler, Shane Watson and Joe Root for Adelaide Strikers in the two matches.

Siddle told AAP, “I'd love to get back in the yellow-and-green for Australia in the shorter format. I think I did (always have T20 bowling skills) but I hadn't played enough to be able to bring them out. Last year, playing a full season gave me an opportunity to train and prepare for it.”

Meanwhile, whether or not the pacer gets the opportunity to don the national T20I jersey remains to be seen, but Siddle is in line to feature in his fourth Ashes and the work-horse paceman revealed that his stint with Essex helped him to extend his career.

Siddle signed off by saying, “If you go back to a couple of years ago, you'd probably think I'd ran my course and might not get that opportunity again. A good winter in England (with Essex) this year got me back in the frame. I've been around the Test team for the whole summer - I'm thereabouts. England and its conditions is a place I love playing.”

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)