Sidebottom out for series

Ryan Sidebottom will miss the final four games of the NatWest Series due to ongoing injury problems with his groin and hip.

Seamer loses fitness battle

Ryan Sidebottom will miss the final four games of the NatWest Series between England and South Africa due to ongoing injury problems with his groin and hip. The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer has been struggling for some time and was rested for the last Test of the summer at the Oval to help him recover for the five one-day internationals. But he was deemed unfit to feature in England's 20-run triumph at Headingley on Friday and, after undergoing another fitness test on Monday, was ruled out for the remainder of the series. England had already called up Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan as cover for injuries to Sidebottom and Chris Tremlett, who is suffering with a heel problem, while captain Kevin Pietersen persuaded Steve Harmison to come out of one-day retirement. Both players will now stay with England's squad for the remainder of the series, which continues with Tuesday's day-night international at Trent Bridge.