Veteran Sidebottom lifts player of year award at Yorkshire dinner

The former England pace bowler, 35, was honoured at the club’s 150th Gala Dinner at Elland Road, Leeds.

Sidebottom, who recently signed an extended deal that will keep him at Headingley until the end of 2015, took 49 county championship wickets at an average of 20.30.

Middle-order batsman Gary Ballance took the players’ player of the year award after scoring 1,251 runs at 62.55.

The 23-year-old left-hander, who was recently named in England’s Ashes squad along with county team-mates Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, was the first division’s leading run scorer.

Opening batsman Alex Lees was named young player of the year after an impressive breakthrough season saw him score 500 runs at 45.45.

Left-arm spinner Karl Carver was academy player of the year and Liam Plunkett fielder of the year.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has admitted he is no certainty to be ready for the first Ashes Test against England in November.

Clarke has been ruled out of Australia’s tour of India, where they will play the hosts in one Twenty20 and seven one-day internationals, due to his long-standing back injury.

The 32-year-old’s injury limited his participation in warm-up and limited overs matches while on tour in England.

Clarke has now refused to guarantee he will be ready for the first Test at the Gabba on November 21.

“I’ll say definitely not (a chance of missing), but at this stage, we can’t predict how long it’s going to take to get right,” he said.

“If you ask Alex (Australia physio Alex Kountouris), I’m sure he’ll say there is that chance.

“For me personally, I’m trying not to look at that. It’s about being nice and positive and working my backside off.”

Meanwhile fast-bowler James Pattinson, sidelined by a back stress fracture, has ruled himself out of the first two Tests, but believes he could be back for the third in Perth in mid-December.