Warwickshire fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who took 4 for 29 on his championship debut having signed from Birmingham & District Premier League champions Berkswell on Friday, spoke at the end of play on day one at Lord’s.
“Today has been an unbelievable experience. I’ve never been to Lord’s before, let alone played here! In fact, it’s my first time in England this summer.
“I was thinking about trying to get to Lord’s to watch the England v South Africa Test a few weeks back, but it didn’t happen – and now I’m playing here!
It’s all happened really quickly. I came over to England to play club cricket and try to break into the county game, and have been playing quite a bit of Second XI county stuff, and I’ve taken those opportunities.
Ryan Sidebottom
“It’s an incredible place, with such an aura. I’ve played a bit at the MCG, and that’s a wonderful stadium, but it’s more of a colosseum whereas Lord’s has a completely different aura with so much history all around you.
“I’m chuffed to get four wickets today. I’d have been happy with one, to tell you the truth. But to be picked to play for Warwickshire, for such a great club, and then to debut at Lord’s, is just unbelievable.
“It’s all happened really quickly. I came over to England to play club cricket and try to break into the county game, and have been playing quite a bit of Second XI county stuff, and I’ve taken those opportunities.
“Ashley Giles had a couple of chats with me earlier on this season, but it’s great to be given this chance. The pitch is one where as a bowler you are always in the game, but the first hour or so tomorrow is massive for us. It’s been a huge effort to get back into the game after being bowled out for 126.”
On his namesake, Yorkshire’s former England paceman Sidebottom, he added: “I’ve never met him, but would like to! I often get ribbed about where my long curly hair is, and why I bowl right-arm and not left-arm! It’s all good fun.”
