Siddle out to pressurise Cook

Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle has echoed team-mate Mitchell Johnson's intent to target England captain Alastair Cook, come this week's first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle has echoed team-mate Mitchell Johnson's intent to target England captain Alastair Cook, come this week's first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Johnson, earlier this week, insisted he would bowl a slew of short deliveries to Cook and the right-handed Jonathan Trott.

"We've always targeted Cook. He is the man that opens up the batting; he's the captain and he's the one we want to put the pressure on," said Siddle.

The 28-year-old Siddle, too, is eager to successfully combat batsman Kevin Pietersen – who will achieve a 100th Test cap when the series opener gets underway on Thursday.

"It's always a tough contest to play against him, a challenge. It's good fun. I've bowled all right against him, the last couple of times," he added.

"We want to keep building that pressure, and try to make it a not very memorable last series for him – if it is his end."

The pugnacious fast bowler has shed plenty of weight recently, basing a strict diet on the consumption of plenty of bananas.

"It's fruit-based, and a lot of vegetables. It keeps me healthy and strong," concluded Siddle.