Sidebottom ruled out of one-day series
Monday, 25 Aug 2008 18:00
Sidebottom will miss the rest of England's summer schedule
England seamer Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of the remainder of the one-day series against South Africa through injury.
Sidebottom has been battling against his injuries since midway through the Test series against the Proteas and was left out of the final Test to allow him to recover for the one-day series.
However, further scans have now shown he is better to rest completely and will play no further part for England this summer.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said: "Ryan Sidebottom has lost his ongoing battle with groin and hip problems and has been ruled out of the remainder of the NatWest Series against South Africa."
England had already called up Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan to cover for Sidebottom and the 23-year-old played against Scotland before the NatWest series.
Since then Steve Harmison has been convinced to come out of one-day retirement and has taken Sidebottom's place in the team.
The ECB did not reveal how long Sidebottom's injuries would rule him out for, though they will be relieved the Champions Trophy has been rescheduled for the time being.
However, England will hope to have the Nottinghamshire bowler fit for the start of the lucrative Stanford Super Series in the Caribbean where England will face Twenty20 competition from the West Indies as well as county and invitational sides.