Sidebottom to miss opener

Left-arm seamer to sit out Headingley clash through injury

Last updated: 21st August 2008

Sidebottom to miss opener

Sidebottom: Injured

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Seamer Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of England's opening one-dayer against South Africa on Friday due to injury.

The Nottinghamshire left-armer has been troubled by back-related complaints all summer long.

Of late he has been fighting to overcome hip and groin problems, but has failed in his bid to make Friday's day-nighter at Headingley.

Sidebottom underwent a fitness test in the indoor nets on Thursday and passed, but was unable to bowl in an uninhibited fashion and was subsequently withdrawn from the NatWest Series opener.

The 30-year-old will now be closely monitored over the next few days by the England medical team to see if he has a chance of making the second match at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.