LANCASHIRE are searching for a replacement for star signing Peter Siddle after the fast bowler was called into Australia’s squad for the Ashes.

Siddle was originally set to play for Lancashire for the majority of their LV= County Championship campaign.

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The 30-year-old lost his place in the Australia Test team towards the end of 2014 but featured in the Big Bash Twenty20 tournament for Melbourne Renegades and has now been named in the squad for this summer’s Ashes series in England.

Siddle could be available for Lancashire’s opening County Championship matches but the county will then have to find a replacement.

Lancashire’s cricket director and head coach Ashley Giles said: “Although it’s pretty frustrating for us, we are over the moon for Peter.

“When you sign an international bowler of his calibre there is always a possibility that this will happen but we are still hopeful that Peter will be available for the start of our LV= County Championship campaign.

“The hunt for a replacement for Peter begins now.”

Middlesex also find themselves in the same situation after 35-year-old batsman Adam Voges was included in Australia’s squad.