| Bounding into the crease and hurling seaming | | | | also developed the in-swinging delivery from 'over the |
| deliveries at a nippy pace is the only thing routine | | | | wicket' that is the bane of right-handed batsmen. |
| about Ryan Jay Sidebottom. This English fast bowler | | | | Still, Sidebottom is perceived as a bowler who should |
| has an unenviable surname and a unique hairstyle to | | | | play only when the weather is not fair. His success |
| accompany it. His long and floppy hair usually bobs | | | | when playing in England and New Zealand supports |
| buoyantly with each stride that he makes to the | | | | this notion. In 'seamer-friendly' conditions, Sidebottom |
| wicket. | | | | reaped an astounding 71 wickets from 15 Test |
| Although Sidebottom is a six-footer, he doesn't have | | | | matches. In the remaining six matches, played in Sri |
| the demeanour or the pace associated with | | | | Lanka and the Caribbean, he captured only 6 wickets |
| fearsome fast-bowlers. However, he certainly | | | | from 6 matches. It should be noted that Sidebottom |
| possesses the character and heart of one. With a | | | | also seems to have the wood over New Zealand |
| more front-on action that belies his surname, | | | | batsmen though. He scalped 41 Kiwi wickets from a |
| Sidebottom always appears to be giving his all- even | | | | mere 6 matches! |
| on the most lifeless of cricket pitches. | | | | Sidebottom is really a left-arm seamer who knows |
| Born in Yorkshire on January 15th, 1978, Sidebottom | | | | how to use conditions to his advantage. To his credit, |
| developed into a sharp, left-arm seam bowler who | | | | he gives his all- even when conditions are clearly not |
| relied on accuracy and movement more than pace. | | | | to his liking. With the bat, Sidebottom is no rabbit. He |
| Incidentally, his father, Arnie Sidebottom, was a | | | | is definitely not a stroke-maker (or a tail-ender who |
| one-test wonder. However, when Ryan made his | | | | attempt to play shots). Sidebottom just likes to poke |
| First-class debut in 1997 at the age of 19, it was | | | | and prod at the crease and hang around. He emerged |
| easy to imagine that he would easily surpass his | | | | 'not out' at the end of an innings, has a Test batting |
| father's Test tally and mediocre statistics. | | | | average in double-digits and scores one run for every |
| Sidebottom managed to surpass his father, but he | | | | three balls he faces. It's not batting that you might |
| seemed to be typecast as a fringe bowler for | | | | pay to see, but it certainly bolsters England's lower |
| England- the type that gets a Test match only when | | | | order. |
| conditions and circumstances seem right. He made his | | | | Sidebottom with most likely remain a fringe player, |
| Test debut against Pakistan on the hallowed turf of | | | | given the preponderance of Test seamer and |
| Lord's cricket ground in 2001. Between May 2001 and | | | | fast-men in England. However, he adds some variety |
| February 2009, Sidebottom played only 21 Tests and | | | | and zip to the bowling attack when he is called upon |
| 16 ODIs. His limited opportunities had much to do | | | | to do so. Having played over 100 First-class matches |
| with the myriad fast-bowling options at England's | | | | for England, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, |
| disposal during this period and prevailing conditions. | | | | Sidebottom is indeed a seasoned campaigner. While |
| Sidebottom did his reputation no harm in taking 77 | | | | he may now be on the 'wrong side of 30', he may |
| wickets from those 21 Tests and 24 wickets from | | | | still feature in some international matches in the near |
| only 16 ODIs in that period. His left-arm swing bowling | | | | future. |
| provided the England attack with variety. Sidebottom | | | | |