RYAN Sidebottom could have ended up as half the answer to a pub quiz question regarding one-cap Test match wonders.

Until his recall by England coach Peter Moores, the curly-haired 29-year-old had been in danger of joining his dad Arnie as an England bowler who only played once for his country.

Happily, his 8-86 match figures in the last Test against the West Indies at Headingley have meant Old Trafford has a new hero for Thursday's third Test.

His old man, Arnie, is one of a special breed of sportsmen to have played professional football and cricket. He became a cult hero during his three-year stint at United during the 1970s.

Although playing just 20 games for the Reds, the jovial centre-back became well-liked by the Stretford End and helped the club back into the top flight in 1975 under boss Tommy Docherty.

At the same time, he was plying his trade as a seamer for Yorkshire, although he didn't get his Test cap until he had retired from football after spells at Huddersfield and Halifax.

Arnie's only cap came in the Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 1985 but he worked as a coach at Headingley until three years ago. At one stage it looked as though United fan Ryan would follow in his dad's footsteps in both sports.

"I was at Sheffield United for a few seasons but didn't think I was quick enough," admitted the Nottinghamshire left-armer.

"But I had a choice between the two, although I probably wouldn't have made it in football.

"I was left-back or centre-half, pretty much like my dad. He was really supportive and told me to do my own thing and he would be behind me.

"My dad will come down a few days to cheer me on at Old Trafford, he doesn't normally because he is a bit of a nervous wreck watching me. He will come, but stay out of the way and let me get on with it.

Swing

"He is really happy for me. He had a laugh about the quiz question - which father and son both won one Test cap for England? - which will be no more. I'm sure he is just pleased."

Being Yorkshire-born, you wouldn't expect Old Trafford to be Sidebottom's favourite ground. However, he is yet to take a first-class wicket there and will be hoping for a bit of swing this week.

"It has swung around there in the past, and I have bowled pretty well there, but it just happens like that," said Sidebottom. "You don't always take wickets. I bowled really well in a Friends Provident Trophy game last week and moved it about quite a lot but didn't take a wicket. All I can do is try and do my best."

Sidebottom, along with former England stars Mike Gatting and Chris Lewis, were facing some awkward deliveries from passers-by in Manchester's Albert Square yesterday as part of npower's sponsorship of the Test series. And he is slowly coming to terms with being in the limelight after his stunning return to the England side.

"The whole week seemed quite surreal," he revealed. "But I think I am just coming down from it all now. Once we get training again this week then it will have been and gone.

"The lads from Notts were having a go because I have got an ECB phone now! I have always wanted to play for England, and am just really pleased I am in the squad for this Test match. It is every boy's dream and it is what I have wanted to do since leaving school and in that way I suppose I am no different than any other county cricketer.

"But Headingley's gone now, I have to concentrate on Old Trafford."

Although it was six years since his only other Test appearance - a wicketless display against Pakistan at Lord's - Sidebottom says he was full of confidence at Headingley.

"The one Test match I played before didn't really play on my mind, I never really thought about it," said the former Yorkshire seamer, who has been working with Dennis Lillee and former Lancashire bowler Phil DeFreitas.

"You sit at home and think you'd like to take a few wickets in each innings and prove that I was capable of playing Test cricket, but to take eight wickets was something different.

"I had not played much for Yorkshire before my first Test and I didn't really know my game. I think the occasion probably got to me a little.

"But I went away, have now got plenty of games under my belt in county cricket and have come back a better player."

How do you think the game will go? Have your say.



Tweet