Sidebottom set to miss opener

Seamer left out of side for warm-up game

Last updated: 8th November 2008  

Sidebottom set to miss opener

Sidebottom: injury troubles

I don't think I'll be available for a couple of matches and I could miss the first one-day international - but I hope I'll be available for selection after that.

Ryan Sidebottom
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Ryan Sidebottom looks set to miss the start of England's one-day series against India next week due to his long-standing Achilles tendon problem.

The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer appeared to be on the way back when he was included in the squad for the Stanford Series and the tour to India.

But he suffered a recurrence of his Achilles trouble in the first over of his comeback against Middlesex in Antigua.

He has been battling to be fit ever since and despite making progress, he has been overlooked for England's opening warm-up match against a Mumbai Cricket Association side on Sunday - a game in which both sides will field 12 players.

Alastair Cook and Tim Ambrose have also been left out, while England have opted to include Ravi Bopara ahead of Luke Wright, who featured in the Stanford match.

"I bowled a little bit today and I've been working on a few technical things," said Sidebottom.

"At the minute I feel really good, but the medical staff don't want to risk me and suffer a setback which could knock me back a couple of weeks.

"I don't think I'll be available for a couple of matches and I could miss the first one-day international - but I hope I'll be available for selection after that."

But the latest setback leaves Sidebottom with a fight on his hands to reclaim his place even when he regains his fitness.

Bad time

"I've had a bad time with injuries. But there's nothing you can do about it - you've just got to get on with it," he added.

"I've been consistent and I've really enjoyed my time with England and I want to carry on playing international cricket. I'm part of the squad and I've got to fight for my place again.

"Steve and 'Fred' have come back into the team and are both bowling well, and I'm just happy to be part of this bowling unit and hope I can push for a place."

England and India are set to play seven-match one-day matches beginning in Rajkot next Friday, live on Sky Sports.

England 12 v Mumbai Cricket Association: KP Pietersen (Hampshire, capt), IR Bell (Warwickshire), MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt), OA Shah (Middlesex), A Flintoff (Lancashire), PD Collingwood (Durham), RS Bopara (Essex), SR Patel (Nottinghamshire), GP Swann (Nottinghamshire), SC Broad (Nottinghamshire), SJ Harmison (Durham), JM Anderson (Lancashire).