Seamer Is Side-Lined For Crunch

Nov 16 2008

SIDELINED seamer Ryan Sidebottom is likely to miss England's bid to bounce back against India in the second match of their one-day series tomorrow.

The 30-year-old Nottinghamshire bowler missed Friday's humiliating 158- run defeat in the openet to the seven match series at Rajkot with Achilles problems that flared up again on the trip to Antigua for the Stanford series.

Sidebottom has gradually been working his way back to fitness but was overlooked for both warm-up games and the first one-day international with a view to returning for the second match at the Nehru Stadium.

But despite making progress with his fitness coach Peter Moores admitted tomorrow may have come too soon for Sidebottom who may have to wait until the third game at Kanpur before he is in contention.

Moores said: "If it is a risk we won't do it but I just feel it's a little bit early.

"I have to be advised by the medical team and Ryan has certainly bowled well in the nets with great control.

"Everyone who has seen him bowl knows his great strength is moving the ball both ways and that's something we would like to have in the side."

While the rest of the squad have gained match practice since England's arrival in India 10 days ago Sidebottom has been working hard in the nets.

It has brought him to the brink of a recall and he will be monitored at today's practice session before England make a final decision on their line-up.

Moores added: "Ryan bowled on the match day and came through that fine. If we're looking to risk him in the second game we'll see how he is.

"We're a little bit wary because he has had a long time out of competitive cricket and the last time we brought him back in the Stanford practice game he tweaked something."

Sidebottom's last one-day international was against New Zealand at Lord's last June.