We’ll be a threat on all fronts, says Ryan
YORKSHIRE may have missed out on making it a hat-trick of County Championship titles a couple of months ago, but Ryan Sidebottom is tipping the White Rose to bounce back – in all forms of the game.
Middlesex pipped them to the County Championship in a thrilling finale at Lord’s, while Yorkshire were also losing semifinalists in both the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup.
A good season by all accounts then, but with the high expectations at Headingley that back-to-back Championships brought, Sidebottom sees no reason why the team can’t go one step better next time around.
The 38-year-old said: “We are disappointed to get into two semis and come third, despite not playing our best cricket. But this still provides an element of excitement ahead of next season.
“I think moving forward to next year our mindset will be much the same.We’ll be looking at ways we can play better or improve. We didn’t really bat well as a unit in most games, and we probably didn’t bowl as well as we could in most games.
“We need to improve, and coming third will hopefully give us that kick up the backside. It is going to be another big season, but the lads will be champing at the bit to go one better and try to win another trophy for the club.
“I think the lads will be really switched on. I remember plain as day when we came second, having lost to Durham, when we went on an amazing run and we went on pre-season tour to Sri Lanka.
“I suppose having been around the block a bit, I looked at all the boys and they looked really switched on and ready for a tough season ahead and trying to win a trophy. This coming season will be no different.”
Despite pushing 40, Sidebottom recently signed a new one-year contract for 2017, which will be his 21st season in the firstclass game.
It will be a season spent without Jason Gillespie, with the coach moving back to Australia. That head coach position is yet to be filled but Sidebottom knows he can input his knowledge into the team, though playing and performing remains his priority.
He continued:“Number one, it’s about me and my cricket, and I want to perform well for the club.
“If I can pass on my knowledge and improve some of these younger players at a quicker rate, so they’re ready for first-team cricket, then that’s a bonus.
“I think it’s more now talking about all aspects of the game rather than just technical. It’s great just to sit and talk cricket with the younger lads, talk about the ups and downs.
“It’s not all plain sailing, and you do have those bad, dark days, but that’s part and parcel of professiional sport.
“It’s great to share that insight with the players.”