Sidebottom eyes further glory
Ryan Sidebottom claimed an LV= County Championship winners medal with Nottinghamshire in 2010 - and the former England seamer sees no reason why he cannot repeat the feat following his return to Yorkshire.
Sidebottom, 33, signed a three-year deal at Headingley Carnegie in October, having previously represented the White Rose county from 1997 to 2004.
The left-armer was part of the last Yorkshire team to win the championship, under David Byas in 2001, and believes the club are well-equipped to build on their surprise third-place finish last season.
“I’ve been fortunate to win three championships and I’d like to win another one,” said Sidebottom, who also enjoyed success with Nottinghamshire in 2005. “There’s no reason why not with this team.
“They are very close. They are still young and learning all the time. I don’t think they feel the pressure, they just go out there and do their thing and perform.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how we get on but I think it’s also exciting. The important thing is to back up the good work we did last year. To not do that and maybe go down would spoil everything.”
Sidebottom retired from England duty in September, having represented his country in 22 Tests, 25 ODIs and 18 Twenty20 internationals.
He is relishing the opportunity of passing on his experience to the younger members of Yorkshire’s attack, but remains as determined as ever to make a contribution with the ball.
“I’m here to take wickets and do well,” he added. “You’re a long way off retired so I want to play as long as possible and keep taking wickets.
“That’s always been my aim. But if I can bring them (the younger bowlers) on and pass on a little bit of experience then I’m giving a little bit back.
“It’s another challenge in my career. If I perform well, I suppose they see how I’m doing and maybe want to copy and go one better than me, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“They have done really well from what I have seen. There is a crop of young bowlers and batters coming through, which bodes well for Yorkshire.”
Sidebottom created a clamour for his services at the end of last season, when he decided not to take up a one-year deal with Nottinghamshire.
The Huddersfield-born bowler wanted the security of a longer-term contract and when his native county came knocking, Sidebottom admitted there was only ever one place he wanted to go.
“To come back and play for Yorkshire where it all started was a no-brainer really,” he said.
“The opportunity arose and I jumped at the chance. I always thought I’d finish my career with Notts really, but it didn’t work out.
“The whole package felt right. My friends and family are up here. My wife is heavily pregnant again as well and we have been able to move my young family back up.”
Asked how many offers he had to choose from, he added: “All up seven or eight I think. I had a choice of a few, but I suppose I’m a bit of a northern lad so going down south probably wasn’t an option.
“The counties that came in for me were Hampshire, Worcestershire, Lancashire, Durham and one or two more. But it is absolutely great to be back.”