Ryan Sidebottom calls time on international career

England pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom has announced his retirement from international cricket.

The 32-year-old, a member of England's victorious Twenty20 World Cup-winning squad earlier this year in the West Indies, made his decision after helping Nottinghamshire lift the LV County Championship Division One title last week.

He made his Test debut against Pakistan at Lords in 2001, although he had to wait another six years before earning a recall. During the past four years he established himself on the international scene and enjoying success at Test and one-day cricket.

Sidebottom produced a Test hat-trick and returned career-best figures of seven wickets for 47 runs against New Zealand in 2008. In all, he played in 22 Tests.

Sidebottom said: "I have had a truly fantastic period of my life with England but now it is time to hand over the ball to those a little younger.

"I have achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of in my career. Winning the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, my Test debut at Lords, a Test hat-trick against New Zealand, plus a man of the series award, are just a few of the highlights. It has been a fantastic time but now is the right time to announce my retirement."

Sidebottom has already announced that he will be leaving Nottinghamshire after seven seasons and will be joining a new county for 2011.

The Huddersfield-born bowler has been linked with a move to Lancashire and Yorkshire for next season and will also be entered into the 2011 IPL auction later this year.