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Sidebottom to miss first ODI

21/08/2008

Fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of England's first one-day international against South Africa with hip and groin complaints.

The Nottinghamshire paceman has been struggling for most of the summer with injury problems.

And despite passing a fitness test earlier today, Sidebottom was deemed to be unable to bowl at full pace without experiencing pain during a nets session.

He was subsequently withdrawn from the squad for the opening one-dayer, which takes place at Headingley tomorrow.

It remains unclear if Sidebottom, 30, will be fit for the remainder of the series, which sees England take on the South Africans looking to overhaul the four-place gap between the sides in the world rankings.

The hosts are currently sixth in the world, following back-to-back series defeats against New Zealand, while the Proteas are second behind only Australia in the standings.

They will become the top side in the world if they win by a 4-1 margin or greater in the five-match series.