England will not risk Sidebottom unless he is fully fit
Moores is unlikely to risk Sidebottom for the second ODI
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Saturday, 15, Nov 2008 12:09
England coach Peter Moores says he will not risk seam bowler Ryan Sidebottom in the second one-day international against India unless he is fully fit.
Sidebottom has been struggling with back and side injuries since the end of the English summer and has only played once since the Third Test against South Africa.
England took a heavy beating against the hosts in the first one-day international and Moores says it is natural to want to bring Sidebottom back into the side following the result.
However, the coach is determined not to risk the bowler unless he is 100 per cent sure he will be able to bowl without aggravating the injury further.
Moores said: "If it is a risk we won't do it, but I just feel it's a little bit early.
"I have got to be advised by the medical team and he has certainly bowled very well in the nets with great control."
India scored 287-5 against England on Friday and Moores knows Sidebottom's presence in the side could help restrict that in the next game.
Moores said: "Everyone who has seen Ryan bowl knows his great strength is moving the ball both ways and that's something we would like to have in the side."
Sidebottom played in one of the games during the Stanford series in Antigua but the injury did not respond well on that occasion.
Having had extra time to work at building his strength back up Moores hopes the Nottinghamshire man will be able to play on Monday after a hard session in the nets on Friday.
"He bowled on the match day and came through that fine. If we're looking to risk him in the second game we'll see how he is tomorrow," said Moores.