Ryan Sidebottom signs new one-year deal with Yorkshire
Monday 19 September 2016 08:25, UK
Ryan Sidebottom has signed a new one-year contract with Yorkshire that will see the left-arm seamer enter a 20th season as a professional.
The 38-year-old has has taken 736 first-class wickets since making his debut in 1997 in the first of two spells with Yorkshire.
He was a huge influence in both previous title-winning campaigns, finishing top of the club's 2015 averages with 41 wickets at 17.90 runs apiece and picking up 48 at 18.35 in the 2014 success.
Live County Championship Cricket
Sidebottom can now claim a third Championship with the county - and sixth overall - in Yorkshire's title decider against Middlesex at Lord's this week, live on Sky Sports.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be spending one more year at the club," he said. "To have won two Championships in a row and to have enjoyed a long and successful career here makes it a very special place.
"In any sport it's about winning and success and right throughout my career I feel I've had my fair share. I feel I'm performing really well ahead of my 20th season; I can be really proud of all I've achieved.
"For me, next year the challenge is to perform to the best of my ability once again. Irrespective of what has happened in the past, or indeed this week. It's about delivering for the team on a number of levels and helping this club challenge for trophies.
"I hope that me staying for a further year will give everyone a boost in a massive week for all connected with the club. My first thought though is taking wickets.
"It's a huge week for the club; we can't draw or lose so we know what we have to do at Lords. It's a great opportunity to make history. There would be no better place to do it than the home of cricket, in front of the TV cameras and we'll be giving it everything we can."
Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon added: "Ryan seems able to keep producing the goods on the pitch year in, year out and to keep hold of a senior player who has been outstanding for us, and a huge part of our recent success, is a great shot in the arm for us going forward.
"We've got some real competition in our bowling attack at present and having worked his way back from injury for the end of this season, he'll play a huge part in 2017.
"Ryan came through the system here and his professionalism and the way he prepares has been a great example to the rest of the playing group."
Coverage of the Middlesex v Yorkshire clash starts on Sky Sports 1 from 10am on Tuesday.
