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Sidebottom expecting competition from Hoggard and Harmison

22/04/2008

Ryan Sidebottom has backed out-of-form seamers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, saying he expects stiff competition for his Test place this summer.

The former new-ball pair were previously almost untouchable in the England lineup two or three years ago.

But the recent Test series in New Zealand saw both Hoggard and Harmison axed from the starting XI after suffering poor form in the first match of the series.

Sidebottom, on the other hand, has been leading England's attack for the last 12 months after being handed a surprise call-up from county cricket by head coach Peter Moores.

He took 24 wickets and was voted man of the series against the Black Caps as England recovered from defeat in the first Test to eventually secure a 2-1 series victory.

But the Nottinghamshire paceman is under no illusions that Yorkshireman Hoggard and Durham star Harmison will seek to rediscover their form this summer and be back in contention for their England places soon.

"They are both fantastic bowlers," he said.

"But you do have days when you don't bowl well.

"I am sure they will be working hard on their games and they are always going to be around the team because they are both great bowlers."

England's first examination at home this summer will be a return series against New Zealand, with the first Test of the three-match campaign beginning at Lord's on May 15th.

And despite receiving some rough treatment from the Black Caps in the last meeting, Sidebottom believes the Ashes-winning pair can rediscover their best on home soil.

"Sometimes batters can just smack you around and you've no answer to it - that's just the way it goes," he continued.

"But they've not become bad bowlers overnight. They are both great bowlers and will be pushing hard to play the first Test at Lord's."