Ryan Sidebottom has signed a one-year extension with Yorkshire, which will keep him at Headingley until at least December 2016.Sidebottom, who is in his second spell with Yorkshire, has had an illustrious career at the highest level. Next month in Abu Dhabi, when champions Yorkshire take on the MCC in the season curtain raiser, the Huddersfield born left-armer will start his 18th season in First-class cricket.
“I am absolutely delighted to be signing a new deal,” said Sidebottom. “It’s been a great couple of years for the Club, with us winning the Championship and continuing to improve.
“I think it shows where the Club is going and I still love playing, the passion is still there. I enjoy coming in and playing with a great bunch of lads. We can do great things if we keep continuing in the same vain. It’s about working hard for each other and to build on that team spirit and camaraderie and togetherness. This is a special Club, for me, the best around.”
Sidebottom, who has played over 200 First-class games taking 663 wickets at an average of just over 24, has set a goal of reaching 700 First-class career wickets, which would be a phenomenal achievement in the modern era of the sport. That ambition and objective is one of the many reasons why the 37-year-old continues to be amongst the best exponents of swing bowling on the county circuit.
“To get to 700 wickets would be brilliant,” he said. “I am aware of that milestone and I would like to go beyond that figure. That is the challenge I’ve set myself. I just want to remain focussed on the cricket, the younger guys keep me going, keep me fit and motivated. I’d really love to play 20 years if I can. To do that as a pro would be an amazing achievement. I enjoy coming in, it’s exciting and I want to be a part of this, I’m passionate about playing, my body is in good shape and I feel great. I want to take wickets for Yorkshire, it’s about winning things and that’s why I’m here.
“When I came back to Yorkshire I had a long chat with Martyn (Martyn Moxon, Director of Cricket) and I want to win things for the Club under Dizzy (Jason Gillespie, First team Coach) and Martyn and Galey (Andrew Gale, Captain) and we are moving in the right direction and improving as a side. I think there’s a lot more to come from this Club if we can play well and keep doing what we’ve done well and keep the game simple. It’s exciting times at Yorkshire, definitely.”
Sidebottom, who is also working with under privileged children in the area through his Cricket Foundation, is the fourth player in the last month to commit to the Club following the contract agreements with Alex Lees, Adam Lyth and Steve Patterson.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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