Mark Footitt ready to become England's next left-arm hero

Mark Footitt is desperate to become England's first left-arm fast bowler for six years when they take on South Africa in the first Test in Durban.

England are preparing for their four-match series against South Africa in Potchestfroom, just 80 miles away from Johannesburg - where their last southpaw Ryan Sidebottom played his 22nd and final Test in January 2010.

Since then the pace attack has been carried by right-handers, leaving successive captains watching enviously as the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult have prospered for rival nations.

The issue has been addressed in limited-overs cricket, with David Willey and Reece Topley both being drafted in to offer variation, but it is Footitt who has the chance to take the mantle in the longer form.

At 30, and with a decade of county experience at Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, he has had a long road to the top but boasts 158 first-class wickets in his last two seasons.

That was enough to catch the eye of Surrey, who have signed him for next season, but also the national selectors.

"It took a long time for me to get here but things happen...people develop at different ages," he said.

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"I seem to have developed a bit better in the past two or three years, I think it's just getting to a certain age and learning your game. When I was younger I was very raw, very pacy but didn't have much accuracy.

"But hard work has got me to where I am today."

Footitt, who is vying with Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan for the third seamer slot for the first Test on Boxing Day, remains in contact with Sidebottom.

"I was at Notts when Ryan was there and playing for England. Back then it was very much about trying to learn from him and speaking to him," said Footitt.

"I still speak to him sometimes nowadays too. He told me 'just keep it simple'. That's what he does - tries to hit a line and length and swing it back as much as he can really and that's all we've talked about.

"I have taken a lot from him playing one Test match and then coming back at a later age and doing so well.

"It gives you that belief that whatever age you are you're still got a chance of playing international cricket."