HUDDERSFIELD’S Ryan Sidebottom has warned England’s young guns he will continue to breath down their necks as he chases a place in the bowling attack for this winter’s Ashes tour.
The 32-year-old has only played one Test match – the innings defeat against South Africa in Johannesburg in January – in the last 18 months, but was one of the stars of England’s World Twenty20 win in the Caribbean in May.
Sidebottom was then overlooked for the routine series win over Bangladesh with youngsters Steven Finn and Ajmal Shahzad impressing alongside regulars James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the attack.
But Sidebottom, who has been a standout performer at Trent Bridge since leaving his native Yorkshire in 2004, is convinced he still has a role to play ahead of the series with Pakistan and the trip Down Under in November.
“I feel I’m in good form and I’m bowling well and that’s all that really matters,” said Sidebottom.
“All I’m concentrating on right now is playing well for Nottinghamshire and taking wickets and knocking on England’s door.
“If I keep taking wickets and reminding people what I can do there may still be a chance for me to play in the Ashes.
“I got the chance to play in the World Twenty20 when a few people said I wouldn’t so I’ve just got to keep going and see what happens.
“England have not just got one to eleven players, they’ve got a whole squad of about 13 or 14 that they can call upon, which bodes well for now and for the future of English cricket.
“All the guys are going out there under pressure, which bodes well for those who are playing regularly, but I will keep pushing as much as I can.”
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