BOTTOM’S UP FOR BEARS
Ryan raring to go after a season of injury misery at Edgbaston
RYAN Sidebottom is determined to “play a huge part” for Warwickshire in 2020 after receiving the all-clear from the injury that ruled him out for almost the whole 2019 season.
Sidebottom’s prolonged absence due to a stress fracture in the shoulder, a very rare injury, was a big blow to Warwickshire, robbing them of a planned linchpin of their seam attack.
It was also hugely frustrating for the 30-year-old to play in the first championship match of the year and then learn it would also be his last.
But better news has arrived for Sidebottom with the all-clear from the specialist. Now he will start building up to the 2020 season, gently at first, at home in Australia in November and December, and then stepping up back with the Bears in the New Year.
“It has been very frustrating because you are paid to play cricket, not sit and watch it,” Sidebottom said. “But injuries are part and parcel of elite sport and you have just got to accept them, listen to the medical advice and do everything you can to get back as soon as possible.
“There was no one factor that caused it. It was just one of those freak injuries that can happen. “Warwickshire have been fantastic. At first there was nothing I could do but rest the shoulder, so they just told me to take some time away.
“I took advantage to get to one or two places I always wanted to go. I went to Montenegro and also on a bit of a sports tour with my partner. She is very much into rowing so we went to Henley Regatta and also to Wimbledon and Anfield and a few others.
“Then it was great to get the allclear and now I can really start looking forward again. I will play some cricket for my local club Northerners, but only as a batsman. All being well, the injury will not recur, but there is no point in taking risks in the shortterm. It will be good for me to just get out in the middle as a batsman and spend some time in the field.
“Then in January it will be back to Birmingham and building up to next season when I want to play a huge part for the Bears. With all the injuries we had last season the guys did brilliantly to fight their way through.
“When everyone is fit we have got a really strong bunch of bowlers and some of the young bowlers came on a long way last season and will be challenging hard in 2020. So I want to hit the ground running and be a leader in the bowling attack and really make up for missing last season.”
I want to play a huge part for the Bears. With all the injuries we had last season the guys did brilliantly to fight their way through.