Siddle pumped for de Villiers challenge

A legend of South African cricket and regarded as the shortest format's most destructive batsman, de Villiers' first two matches are slated against Siddle's Strikers.

Siddle never played a limited-overs match or Twenty20 international against South Africa but did dismiss de Villiers six times in Test cricket - second only to England's Stuart Broad (seven).

However, the Proteas great arguably had the better of the engrossing duels, scoring 273 runs against Siddle at an average of 45.50.

Siddle is looking forward to watching de Villiers thrill Australian crowds with his unique batting genius - in matches not involving Adelaide.

"I haven't played him in white ball, (but) we've always had a good battle (in Tests)," Siddle said.

"I've always enjoyed bowling against the best players in the world and he's definitely, in Twenty20 cricket, by far one of the best in the world.

"Not just to play against him, but to have him in Australia, in the Big Bash, it's amazing for Australian people to be able to witness what he's going to bring over the next couple of weeks.

"Hopefully it's not against us, but (otherwise) he does bring out his best in a couple of other games because he's amazing to watch.

"We know what he can do, he can hit the ball everywhere ... it's like bowling to 'Maxy' (Glenn Maxwell).

"It's going to be tough but hopefully he's a bit rusty and that works in our favour."

The Strikers will hit the Heat with renewed confidence after snapping a three-game losing streak with a landslide 63-run triumph over the winless Melbourne Renegades on Sunday, which Siddle described as close to perfect.

"It was probably not quite the perfect game but it's getting close to it," said Siddle who snared 3-14.

"That's what we've been searching for.

Australian Associated Press