Sidebottom out of next two

Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of England next two matches in the NatWest Series against India after failing to recover from a strained left side.

The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer suffered the complaint during the final Test against India at the Oval nearly a fortnight ago, but was expected to recover and be named in England's 14-man squad for the seven-match series against India.

He failed to recover and be considered for Tuesday's opening match at the Rose Bowl, which England won by 104 runs, and after further consultation he has now been ruled out of the next two matches.

The 29-year-old will miss Friday's day-night encounter in Bristol and Monday's international at Edgbaston although England's selectors have resisted the temptation to call up a replacement into the squad.

Sidebottom will be examined again after Monday's match in Birmingham and a decision will be made then on whether to retain him in the squad or call up an alternative bowler.