18 Exciting facts about Ryan Sidebottom

Ryan Sidebottom is a respected figure in England’s county arena. His skills and determination to play for England cannot be questioned. He was equally impressive in the shorter as well as the longer formats of the game. He had a short international career which was hit by series of injuries but also had a considerable success in his career. He still continues to play for Yorkshire in the domestic and is a key player in their unit. Here are some Exciting facts about Ryan Sidebottom.

1. Born on:

Ryan Jay Sidebottom was born on January 15, 1978, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

2. Education:

Sidebottom is a pupil of King James Grammar School, Almondbury.

3. Early cricketing career:

Sidebottom started playing as a young boy for Kirkburton Cricket Club.

4. Family:

His father Arnold Sidebottom was also a cricketer who played one Test for England in 1985 against Australia. He also played professional football for Manchester United.

5. Like father like son:

He was involved in different sports like his father. He impressed the football scouts of Sheffield United as a youngster. He is also an avid lover of Rugby.

6. Young achiever:

He has won the NBC Denis Compton Award twice in 1999 and 2000.

7. Domestic debut:

In 2000, Sidebottom became the 150th player to be capped by Yorkshire in July.

8. Nickname:

He sports a flamboyant hairstyle which has led to the dressing room nickname of “Sexual Chocolate”. Sidebottom’s long hair indirectly led to a second nickname, “Stringfellow”, his team mate Henry Blofeld repeatedly confused him with long-haired nightclub impresario Peter Stringfellow during the first Test match against New Zealand in 2008.

9. England debut:

Ryan Sidebottom made his debut for England in 2001 at the Lord’s against Pakistan. However, his debut was a forgettable one as he went wicket less in that match.

10. Stars of England only major successful tournament:

In 2010, Sidebottom spearheaded England’s bowling attack in the 2010 ICC T20 World Cup. He took ten wickets in the tournament as England won the final against Australia at Barbados in May to lift the coveted trophy.

11. Hattrick against New Zealand:

On 8 March 2008 at Hamilton, he took the 37th Test cricket hat-trick in his 11th match for England against New Zealand, becoming the 11th English player to do so. He dismissed New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming, Matthew Sinclair and Jacob Oram to claim his hat-trick. England went on to win the series 2-1.

12. Player of the year:

After a very fruitful 2008, Ryan Sidebottom was named as England’s Player of the Year.

13. Retirement:

Sidebottom retired from international cricket on 20 September 2010.

14. Career:

He played 22 Tests for England and took 79 wickets. He also appeared in 25 ODIs and 18 T20Is for his country where he has taken 29 and 23 wickets respectively.

15. Life after retirement from International cricket:

Ryan Sidebottom runs a cricket academy- Ryan Sidebottom Cricket Academy. He also runs Ryan Sidebottom Cricket Foundation which offers Cricket Coaching Scholarship to under privileged children in Yorkshire.

16. Stallion of domestic cricket:

Sidebottom is only three wickets away from claiming 1,000 wickets in all forms of professional cricket which he is expected to do in the 2016 season. In 2005, was named Nottingham’s Player of the Year after he helped them to their first Championship title in 18 years, the second of his career.

17. Surpasses his dad:

In 2013, Sidebottom overtook his dad’s first-class wickets tally of 596.

18. Personal life:

He is married to Kate and they have two children, a daughter named Indiana Nell and son, Darley Jack.