Ryan Sidebottom retires from international cricket
England left-handed fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom has retired from international cricket. Sidebottom, who played in 22 Tests, 25 ODIs and 18 Twenty20s had made his Test debut in 2001 and played for nine
years for the English side.
Sidebottom said, "I have been fortunate enough to live the dream and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me so much throughout my career. It has been a fantastic time
but I have no doubts that now is the right time to announce my retirement."
Sidebottom’s first Test came against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 at Lord’s but he did not get a single wicket and was subsequently dropped from the side. For six years, Sidebottom was never picked up for an international
because of an apparent policy that the then-coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Duncan-c54739 Fletcher had adopted – no to medium-pacers who get truckloads of wickets at the county circuit.
It was in 2007 that Sidebottom got another opportunity to play Test cricket, when he played the West Indies in 2007. In his very first comeback Test match, Sidebottom picked up eight wickets in the match,
getting four wickets in each of the innings.
Sidebottom, who turned 32 early this year, said that he was retiring to allow some of the younger bowlers to establish themselves in the side. he also added that he was happy and satisfied with his career,
and said that he could say that he had achieved more than what he could wish for.
Sidebottom also revealed a few of his performances that were close to his heart. He named the ICC World Twenty20 triumph in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754,
and the man-of-the-series award as the few crowning moments of his international career.
Both, Andy Flower, the coach of the English side, and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hugh-Morris-c63550, the managing director of the English cricket board were effusive in their praise of Sidebottom. Flower thanked Sidebottom for his commitment
to the sport, while Morris said, "On behalf of the ECB I would like to thank Ryan for his contribution to England cricket. Ryan has been a popular member of the squad and has had some outstanding performances from England in his nine year career and I've no
doubt he still has plenty to offer the sport.”
Sidebottom also recently revealed he was planning to leave his county, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nottinghamshire-c826 after the season to pursue a longer contract elsewhere.
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