You are in > manchester.com  > News > Sidebottom happy with return to form

Cricket

Sidebottom happy with return to form

17/05/2008

Ryan Sidebottom says he felt he owed it to his team-mates to produce a better performance on day two of the first Test against New Zealand.

The bowler was wicketless on the first day but returned figures of 4-5 in 10.1 overs to end the visitors' innings on Friday.

Sidebottom says as the senior bowler in the England set-up he needs to be performing at a consistently high level and was pleased with his return to form yesterday.

He said: "I was bitterly disappointed with my performance [on Thursday]. I wanted to back up [Stuart] Broady and Jimmy [Anderson], who bowled fantastically well and set the platform.

"I always see it is a responsibility because I have been around a bit more than the other two. It's an added responsibility and one I would like to take on."

The Kiwis eventually made 277 which the Nottinghamshire bowler felt may have been 50 runs more than England should have allowed.

However, Black Caps all-rounder Jacob Oram says facing Sidebottom in their second innings is sure to be another test for the tourists.

Oram claimed Sidebottom was as good as any bowler in the world on his current form.

"He is the best I have faced at the moment. I would be keen not to face him again. If you are able to swing it, and swing it with accuracy, you're going to be difficult to play," said Oram.

"The thing that strikes me the most is he's so accurate with it and he swings it late."

England will resume the third day on 68-0, 209 runs behind New Zealand with ten wickets in hand.