Former England bowler Sidebottom announces retirement

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Harvey Burgess

Former England bowler Ryan Sidebottom has announced that he will retire from cricket at the end of the current season.

Sidebottom, who plays county cricket for Yorkshire, played in 22 Tests for his country and also helped England to win the 2010 ICC World Twenty20.

“There’s a tear in my eye whenever I think about not playing professional cricket again, a game that’s given me so much over the years,” he said.

The 39-year-old took 79 wickets in Test cricket and more than 1,000 in all forms of the game and will retire with at least five County Championship titles to his name, three with current side Yorkshire and two with previous club Nottinghamshire.

The left-armer was born in Huddersfield and began his career with Yorkshire, winning the title in 2001 before going on to play for Nottinghamshire between 2004 and 2010.

His first appearance in Test cricket came in 2001, when the Yorkshireman failed to take a wicket against Pakistan, and he was made to wait six years for his next match.

Sidebottom never managed to appear against Australia in his Test career, but his finest series came against New Zealand in 2008, when the left-armer took 24 wickets as England won 2-1.

In the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 final against Australia, he took a very respectable 2-26 as England won the competition for the first time.

Sidebottom retired from international cricket at the end of 2010 and has focussed on county cricket ever since.

“But it’s the right time and I want to go out on a high, rather than fade away, as that’s just not the sort of guy I am,” Sidebottom added.

“I’ve always tried to play with a smile on my face and give 110 per cent, because I absolutely love this sport.

“It’s been an honour to represent my home county, Yorkshire, play for my country and help make history at Nottinghamshire.

“I couldn’t have asked for better team-mates and they’ve helped me become the cricketer I am today.

“I’m hoping that attitude will help me in the next stage of my career, as I focus on the academy and bringing through amazing new young talent, as well as helping reach kids who might not ever have the chance to play cricket due to circumstances beyond their control.

“Not everyone has been as lucky as me and that’s something I never forget, so if we can make a difference to a few lives, then it’s all worth it.”