Sidebottom: Morgan's Boys Are Simply The Best

Tom Harle speaks to former Yorkshire and England seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who believes Eoin Morgan has at his disposal our greatest one-day side Ryan Sidebottom, a lynchpin of the only England team to ever win a major one-day trophy, believes Eoin Morgan’s current crop are far superior than his history boys.

Sidebottom has hit the headlines in recent weeks for his twirls on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, but back in 2010 he was leading top-order batsmen a merry dance with his nagging left-arm seam-up. The 41-year-old credits captain Paul Collingwood for a no-fear mentality in the side that triumphed in the world T20 in the Caribbean. It was an approach ahead of its time and borrowed on heavily by Morgan – the only member of both 2010 and 2019 squads.

“Everyone in that 2010 team contributed and we played some brilliant cricket,” said Sidebottom, speaking from Leeds on the latest leg of the ICC Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan.

“Under Paul, we had a fearless mentality to show what we were made of and take it to the opposition. It was a long time coming before 2010, four final defeats and fans waited a long time. As a country we showed we are very capable of winning world tournaments.

“We probably weren’t as strong as this side now. You win a major tournament, you get the backing of sponsors and youngsters wanting to follow in the footsteps of their heroes.”

Kevin Pietersen provided the X-factor in Andy Flower’s outfit – named player of the tournament after making 248 runs and hitting 47 to see off Australia in the final.

Craig Kieswetter came in and starred at the top of the order but it was Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Mike Yardy and the varied bowling attack that made the difference.