Ryan Sidebottom leaving Nottinghamshire
England fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom will leave Nottinghamshire and play for a new county during the 2011 season.
Sidebottom and Nottinghamshire could not agree a new deal for the player to finish his career at the club after the seamer asked for a three-year deal, which the county was not willing to match.
He said: "I didn't want to leave the club. But this is the last contract I'll sign as a professional and I wanted the security of a three-year deal. There was a two-year deal on the table for me and a
three-year deal with certain stipulations but they didn't suit me and so I have to move on."
There are now a number of high profile clubs thought to be tracking the bowler. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sussex-c852 seem to be the favourites but Sidebottom has already said that he's in no rush to make a decision.
This news will be a massive blow to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nottinghamshire-c826 for a number of reasons. Sidebottom has lots of skill and experience and he will be a key signing for any county.
A big blow
Nottinghamshire has a number of England players on the county's books. This means quality individuals are away from the county for large parts of the season. This places pressure on the remainder of the
squad, and this pressure will increase with Sidebottom's absence.
The left arm fast bowler offered the Notts attack something different. Left arm seamers create different angles and can swing the ball in opposite ways. Sidebottom has taken a lot of wickets through his
left arm technique and Notts will miss this.
Experience is key to any county. Sidebottom has taken 445 first class wickets and still has plenty to offer at 32-years-old. He would have been integral to Nottinghamshire's plans to develop younger bowlers.
A brilliant signing
Sidebottom will be a brilliant signing for the new county he joins. He has retained his pace despite his age and he is still able to move the ball on any pitch.
Any county will view Sidebottom as the perfect player to come in and help those around him. He has been well liked at all the counties he's played for and doesn't appear to have an ego. His energy, enthusiasm
and experience can rub off on players of all ages and experience at a county.
It's clear that Sidebottom is not looking to end his career early. This will appeal to a county that isn't looking to snap a bowler up on a short-term deal. It should encourage a county to offer Sidebottom
exactly what he wants.
Notts director of cricket Mick Newell added: "It's disappointing when you offer a player a contract but we've spent a long time talking to Ryan and we obviously don't have an agreement and it's clear he
wants to move on. It's an interesting judgement we have to make on players who come out of international cricket and into county cricket who are on a lot more money and you have to take more things into consideration."
Betting advice
Sidebottom can still offer a lot at the highest level of the English domestic game. Watch the news carefully and wait until you know his new county before betting. He should be a good value bet to take
the most first class wickets in England next summer regardless.
Be wary of backing Nottinghamshire from now on. The county is now very short in the bowling department. You cannot win any matches unless you take wickets consistently and it will be a test for the side
to cope without Sidebottom in the team.
Tags: