Sidebottom ready for Sri Lanka

Ryan Sidebottom is confident he will take wickets on Sri Lankan pitches © Getty Images

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England seamer Ryan Sidebottom is confident he has the ability to take wickets on the sub-continent as he prepares for the one-day international series with Sri Lanka.

Sidebottom missed England’s disappointing showing at the ICC World Twenty20 because of a side injury but is in the squad for the five-match series which starts on October 1.

The 29-year-old returned to action for Nottinghamshire recently and is expected to be involved when Paul Collingwood’s side play a warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at the Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.

Question marks have been raised as to whether Sidebottom’s bowling style would be suitable for conditions in the sub-continent, but the left-armer is certain he will take wickets on the tour.

“You can only improve as a bowler if you test yourself in different conditions,” Sidebottom told www.ecb.co.uk.

“I am really looking forward to doing that. I’ll be working with the coaching staff, preparing as thoroughly as possible and getting my plans right for playing out there.

Darren Gough has advised Ryan Sidebottom on how to bowl in the sub-continent

“Having spoken to Darren Gough about how to bowl and get wickets out in the sub-continent, I realise it will be a different challenge for me, but I believe I will be able to get wickets.

“It will be tough at times against some of the Sri Lanka batsman so I will have to out-think and frustrate them by being able to land the ball on the spot.”

Former India captain Rahul Dravid claimed after the NatWest Series that the real test for England’s bowling attack will be where the ball does not seam or swing.

But Sidebottom insists that, while Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann will be crucial on what are likely to be dry, spinning pitches, seamers will have a huge part to play.

“Of course the spinners are important on sub-continental pitches,” Sidebottom said.

“But someone like Chaminda Vaas has taken a lot of wickets for Sri Lanka and shown that there is a place for seamers.

“He has shown that you do not have to be able steam in and bowl at 90mph to be a quality international bowler on those types of pitches.

“I might not be able to get orthodox swing all the time but I am sure I will be able to get the ball to reverse a bit.

“Adjusting to the conditions (off the pitch) should not be too much of a problem. I love curries so I should be okay on that front, although with the heat out there I might even have to get my hair cut!”