Until his recall to the national colours last year, Sidebottom appeared destined to become part of the answer to a sports quiz question.
His father Arnie played one Test against Australia in 1985 and Ryan had similarly resigned himself to a life on the county circuit after failing to take a wicket in his only Test against Pakistan in 2001.
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To his frustration, Sidebottom's brand of medium-fast left-arm swing was out of fashion as then England coach Duncan Fletcher searched for tall, young fast bowlers banging the ball hard into the pitch regularly in excess of 140 kph. Sidebottom, at around 130 kph, was considered too slow.
In fact, as he showed in the series against New Zealand this year, Sidebottom can be deceptively quick, and at times he came close to the 140 mark.
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