Australia paceman Peter Siddle has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 35 after taking 221 wickets in a distinguished 67-Test career.

Siddle broke the news to his team-mates at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday after being released from the squad for the third and final Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

“It’s always hard to know when the right time is,” he told local broadcaster Fox Cricket. “The Ashes was the main goal, to try and get on that touring party and be a part of that series.

“Once I’d ticked that off, I was talking to Painey (captain Tim Paine) and JL (coach Justin Langer), I thought I could have (retired) there, but the chance of getting one last crack if it came in Australia ... would have been nice.”

Siddle will continue to play domestic cricket for Victoria state and Twenty20 side Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, along with English County cricket for Essex.

“Just being able to play, to walk out, wear the baggy green — I’d watched guys like Punter (Ricky Ponting), Steve Waugh, guys like that wear it, represent Australia,” Siddle said. “Every time I stepped out was amazing, I don’t think I could pick one special one. At the end of the day, to play one is amazing, to end up playing what I did is truly special.”

The fiery redhead has been on the fringes of Australia’s formidable pace attack for a number of years but featured in the team’s retention of the Ashes in England earlier this year.