Ryan Sidebottom retires from international cricket

Ryan Sidebottom has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket. The 32-year-old Yorkshire-born fast bowler has played 22 Tests, 25 ODIs and 18 Twenty20s for England, including the recent World Twenty20 triumph in the Caribbean, in an international career that spanned nine years.

Sidebottom made his Test debut for England in 2001 at Lord's against Pakistan, but was made to wait a further six years for his second opportunity, which eventually came against West Indies in 2007. His most impressive performances, however, came in 2008 on a tour of New Zealand where he picked up 24 wickets including a hat-trick at Hamilton and 7 for 24 in the final Test in Napier, which went a long way towards him being named England's Player of the Year.

Sidebottom enjoyed plenty of success in limited-overs cricket for England, with a starring role in the side that beat India and Sri Lanka in consecutive ODI series in 2007. Sidebottom's final appearance in an England shirt came in the second Twenty20 on September 7 at Cardiff, where he took 2 for 22 to help England secure a 2-0 series win against Pakistan.

Sidebottom said: "I have had a truly fantastic period of my life with England but now it is time to hand over the ball to those a little younger. If I look back on my international career I have achieved more than I could ever have dreamed.

"Winning the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies, my Test debut at Lord's, a Test hat-trick against New Zealand, plus a man of the series award are just a few of the highlights which spring to mind.

"I have been fortunate enough to live the dream and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me so much throughout my career. It has been a fantastic time but I have no doubts that now is the right time to announce my retirement."

Andy Flower, England team director, said: "Ryan Sidebottom has been an important member of the squad in recent years and has excelled in the shorter formats of the game, particularly Twenty20 cricket. His contributions in the West Indies were instrumental in England winning our very first global title and on behalf of the team I'd like to thank Ryan for the enthusiasm and commitment he has shown when playing for England and wish him all the very best for the remainder of his career."

Hugh Morris, Managing Director- England Cricket, said: "On behalf of the ECB I would like to thank Ryan for his contribution to England cricket. Ryan has been a popular member of the squad and has had some outstanding performances from England in his nine year career and I've no doubt he still has plenty to offer the sport."

Sidebottom's most recent endeavours came with bat and ball at Old Trafford, where he helped guide Nottinghamshire beyond 400 runs in an unbeaten tenth-wicket partnership with Darren Pattinson to secure a crucial bonus point in their final County Championship match of the season, before claiming the wicket of Karl Brown to help the county to claim the three wickets they needed to win the title for the first time since 2005.