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England team awards
Sidebottom named Player of the Year
Andrew McGlashan
May 12, 2008
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Top man: Ryan Sidebottom has had a memorable twelve months, topped off by being named Player of the Year
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Twelve months ago Ryan Sidebottom was a one-cap wonder putting in the hard yards for Nottinghamshire on the county circuit. On Monday night at Lord's he was named England's Player of the Year and will start the first Test against New Zealand as the team's premier strike bowler.
Since his surprise recall against West Indies, at Headingley, he has taken 53 wickets in 12 Tests, including 24 against New Zealand in March. He claimed a 10-wicket haul and a hat-trick in Hamilton and his 7 for 47 in Napier, the best figures by an England bowler for four years, helped to set-up their come-from-behind series win. He had already been named one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year.
His chance came due to an injury to Matthew Hoggard, who is now, partly because of Sidebottom's excellence, battling to get is own place back in the team. Hoggard used to be the first bowler on the team-sheet, but that honour now goes to Sidebottom and he has confounded predictions by developing into an all-round wicket-taker regardless of conditions.
"This time last year I was training with Nottinghamshire and just playing regular county cricket so it's been a massive turnaround," he said. "But I don't want to get carried away with it and I'm relishing the chance to play at Lord's again. The other 10 guys in the team have made me feel very welcome, which has allowed me to get on with my job. I suppose it goes out to all the players because one player doesn't make a team."
Maybe one player doesn't make a team, but much of the limited success England have had over the past year wouldn't have happened without Sidebottom. New Zealand would have ended in defeat and even toppling West Indies last summer would have proved a harder task. Then there is his role in the one-day side, 20 wickets from 12 matches, including a Man-of-the-Series performance in Sri Lanka.
Sidebottom is a laidback character off the field (bowling is different matter, just ask anyone who drops a catch) and insists the last year hasn't changed him. After waiting so long for a second chance he isn't taking anything for granted. "I don't want to get too carried away because things can change quickly. It's just a case of keeping doing the basics," he said.
"All the talk [when called up against West Indies] was that it would be one game, the horses for courses thing, but I sat down with my dad [Arnie, who also won one cap for England] and he said just go out and do your best, don't look too far ahead. At Headingley I played as though it would be my last game and I'm not going to change. Each game I'll enjoy it and give it my best."
Sidebottom has broken into the top 10 of the bowling rankings and received praise from Richard Hadlee, who said he was the main threat in the series ahead. "It's a massive compliment coming from a great bowler," said Sidebottom. "On the other hand I'm not taking much notice because they are a difficult team to beat.
"We aren't taking it lightly, especially myself because I've only played a few games. Of course I would like to carry on in the same form but it's not going to be easy. As long as I'm consistent and getting wickets for my team-mates then that's great."
The other major award handed out at Lord's on Monday evening was the Women's Player of the Year which went to Claire Taylor, while Outstanding Achievement awards were given to the men who scored a 100, claimed a five-wicket haul or held five catches in an innings.
Two one-off presentations were also given to Ashley Giles and Marcus Trescothick in recognition of their England success over the years. Trescothick announced his retirement from international cricket in March and Giles is now on the England selection panel as well as Warwickshire's coach.
Andrew McGlashan is a staff writer at Cricinfo
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