 | I think England were looking for that little bit of consistency which I've had |
Ryan Sidebottom believes his left-arm swing could prove invaluable to England in the second Test against West Indies at Headingley starting on Friday.
Nottinghamshire's Sidebottom has replaced injured Matthew Hoggard in a 13-man England squad.
"I add variety, being a left-arm swing bowler," said Sidebottom.
"My consistency and line have improved and I've worked hard on my swing. It normally swings at Headingley and West Indies won't have faced a left-armer."
Sidebottom, 29, was the surprise name in England's squad, six years after he won his sole cap against Pakistan.
But he has been a consistent wicket-taker for Notts since joining the club from Yorkshire in 2004 and fully intends to make the most of his second chance.
"I'm delighted to be back in the set-up. Everyone wants to play regularly for England and I'd like to do that given the opportunity," said Sidebottom.
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"It was a great move [from Yorkshire] to Notts, things have gone well and I'm enjoying my cricket. I'm a better bowler than last time round and I'm opening the bowling in all forms of cricket with Notts.
"Our seamers performed well at Lord's in patches, but I think England were looking for that little bit of consistency which I've had and hopefully I can take that into the game.
"I've got some fond memories of Headingley and everyone's been really good since I've been back."
Sidebottom, whose father Arnie also played a Test for England against Australia in 1985, failed to take a single wicket when he played against Pakistan at Lord's in 2001.
| It's interesting that this coach is looking at a slightly older group of bowlers - he's not necessarily going for youth all the time Notts director of cricket Mick Newell |
But Nottinghamshire's director of cricket Mick Newell has backed him to do a good job if he plays.
"I'm sure he knows his own game better, he's much more in control and he's got a bit more variety to his bowling," said Newell.
"I think he's the best left-arm bowler in this country by a long way and therefore he should have been somebody we should have been looking at all the time if you want that variety in your attack.
"I think [England coach] Peter [Moores] knows what's going on around the counties much more and is more aware of who is batting or bowling well in county cricket and is probably more interested in that as well.
"I think it's interesting that this coach is looking at a slightly older group of bowlers - he's not necessarily going for youth all the time.
"Youth is a good thing, but if you're replacing Hoggard, I think you've got to look at the best replacement, rather than automatically assume it's got to be a youngster - you want the best bowler."
And Newell believes Sidebottom can provide England with disciplined line and length bowling after their pacemen mis-fired badly in the opening match of the series against West Indies.
"In the last Test match, the run-rate they were scoring at was pretty high and I'm sure Ryan will offer some control and get that run-rate down.
"He is also different as a left-arm seamer and I think he also bowls at left-handers, so I think he's got three or four things going in his favour. With Hoggard being out injured there is a gap for someone like that," he added.
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Interview: England's Ryan Sidebottom
