England impress Sidebottom

Ryan Sidebottom has had to watch the ICC World Twenty20 on television © Getty Images

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Injured seamer Ryan Sidebottom believes England can win the ICC World Twenty20 trophy as Paul Collingwood’s side prepare for their Super Eight clash with South Africa.

Nottinghamshire paceman Sidebottom was forced to miss the tournament after a side strain which prevented him playing any of the NatWest International series against the India.

All-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas was drafted into England's World Twenty20 squad in place of the injured left-armer after performing well against India, against whom he hit five consecutive sixes in the defeat at the Brit Oval and took 3-23 in the series-clinching Lord's victory.

Sidebottom was disappointed to miss out on the inaugural competition because of the injury but is tipping Collingwood’s side to make the latter stages of the competition.

“It’s a shame to miss out through injury but I have been watching the boys out in South Africa on television and they put in a good performance to defeat Zimbabwe,” Sidebottom told ecb.co.uk.

“We were unlucky not to get the breaks against Australia but I am sure we will bounce back from that defeat in the next few games.

Dimitri Mascarenhas has bowled well in the middle of the innings © Getty Images

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“There’s no reason why England cannot go and do well in the latter stages, and even win the competition.”

Sidebottom has been impressed with the performances of his replacement Mascarenhas and those of wildcard selection Chris Schofield.

Mascarenhas collected 3-18 against Zimbabwe off his four overs to spark a collapse, while leg-spinner Schofield marked the end of his seven-year England exile with 2-15.

Despite being unable to repeat their heroics against Australia, as Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden put England to the sword to claim an eight-wicket victory, Sidebottom thinks England posses the quality to go all the way.

He said: “The bowlers, especially Dimitri and Chris Schofield who have bowled mid-way through the game, have done well and we have some batters who can hit the ball a bit as well.

“Even a score of 200 is not enough in Twenty20 cricket and anything can happen as we saw when the West Indies set South Africa a big total and they chased it down in the opening match.

“I am sure they will put the Australia result behind them and move on to the next game. And, with a bit of luck, I believe the boys could go all the way in the tournament which would be great for English cricket.”

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The 29-year-old was speaking at the NatWest Speed Stars final at the National performance centre in Loughborough, where 32 players competed for the title of the UK’s fastest young bowler in their age-group.

More than 3,400 entrants took part during the roadshow which visited town centres, cricket clubs and NatWest Series matches throughout April to September, and the finalists had a star audience in Sidebottom.

He admitted his own comeback from injury is not far away and he is expecting to get a bowl in Nottinghamshire’s NatWest Pro40 Division One clash against Sussex at Hove.

He said: “I’m scheduled to play against Sussex so that will be a good test of how my side feels. It’s still a bit sore but I have been able to bowl a bit recently in practice so hopefully there won’t be any reaction.”