Little sign of ‘exceptional’ Sidebottom slowing up

Sidebottom, 35, has put pen to paper on a one-year extension that will keep him at Yorkshire for at least the next two seasons.

The former England left-armer is the club’s leading wicket-taker in the Championship this year, with 46 at 19.06, and there has been no sign of his powers fading.

“We are very happy that Ryan has signed until at least the end of 2015,” said Moxon.

“He has been an exceptional, consistent performer again this season and we hope that he will play for as long as it is physically possible for him to do so.

“He brings so much to our dressing room and remains one of our most consistent performers whose level of experience is second to none.

“He can also mentor our young bowlers and pass on his wisdom, so he is a terrific asset in every respect.”

Sidebottom, who rejoined Yorkshire in autumn 2010 after seven seasons with Nottinghamshire, has previously said he would like to keep playing for several more years.

Moxon believes there is plenty of life in the old dog yet and that Sidebottom can continue for a good while to come.

“Ryan is keen to play for as long as he possibly can,” added Moxon.

“Hopefully, he’ll be ready and able to continue beyond the next couple of years.

“It’s difficult with a fast bowler to know how long they can go on for, but, with Ryan, he is like a fine red wine that seems to be getting better with age.

“We are looking after him and managing his workload as best we can, which has added to his ability to be successful in Championship cricket this summer.”

Sidebottom recently passed 600 first-class wickets to go past the total achieved by his father, Arnie, and has been one of Yorkshire’s key performers since rejoining the county. In 2011 he took 62 first-class wickets at 22.00 – the best return of a distinguished career.

That career has included 22 Tests, 25 one-day internationals and 18 Twenty20 internationals, with Sidebottom excelling in all formats.

Division Two champions-elect Lancashire fought back against Gloucestershire at Bristol on the back of Luke Procter’s maiden first-class century.

Procter made 106 to lift the Red Rose from 38-3 at the start of play to 292-7.

It enabled the visitors to move two bonus points nearer the title, having already clinched promotion.