Ryan Sidebottom, with his unruly mop of curly, ginger hair, has long been one of the most recognisable and respected figures on the county circuit. Hailing from Yorkshire, England, Ryan has had a fascinating and successful career in the sport of cricket.
Born into a sporting family, Ryan followed in the footsteps of his father, Arnie, who was an accomplished footballer and one-time Test player. However, he showed great promise as a cricketer from a young age and made his county debut for Yorkshire. Prior to this, he had also caught the attention of Sheffield United Football Club scouts, but ultimately chose cricket as his path to success.
Ryan’s career started off with a bang, as he was selected to represent England in 2001 against Pakistan. Unfortunately, his performance was lackluster and he was quickly discarded and forgotten. Determined to prove himself, Ryan left Yorkshire in 2004 and joined Nottinghamshire, where he flourished. He played a crucial role in helping Nottinghamshire achieve a double promotion in his first year and was named the Player of the Year the following season.
Despite his consistent performances, Ryan was overlooked by the national team for years as they focused on finding bowlers with genuine pace. However, in 2008, under the new coach Peter Moores, he was surprisingly given another chance and seized the opportunity with both hands. He impressed everyone with his eight-wicket haul against West Indies and became an integral part of the team.
Ryan’s success continued as he played a pivotal role in England’s one-day triumph in Sri Lanka and dominated New Zealand with 24 wickets during the tour. In 2010, he defied expectations by being selected ahead of James Anderson in the T20 World Cup and played a crucial role in England’s victory.
Despite injuries hindering his Test cricket opportunities, Ryan remained an important member of the one-day side. He eventually retired from international cricket in 2010, but continued to make his mark in the domestic scene. He returned to Yorkshire and had a highly successful season in 2011, taking 62 first-class wickets and contributing with the bat as well.
Ryan’s dedication and skill were recognized as he won the Members’ Player of the Year award in 2012, during which he also achieved his 700th first-class wicket. His accuracy and ability to swing the ball made him a standout performer on the county circuit. Throughout his career, he won five Championship titles, three with Nottinghamshire and two with Yorkshire.
Ryan Sidebottom’s longevity and unwavering commitment to the game have been truly impressive. He has left a lasting legacy not only for his father to be proud of but for cricket fans across England. With his retirement, the sport bids farewell to a true icon of the game.
