Moxon delighted as Sidebottom plans his return to Yorkshire

The former England left-arm seamer is set to put the lure of his home county before the lure of the lucre after deciding to quit county champions Nottinghamshire. Yorkshire are offering Sidebottom, 32, a six-figure salary and a three-year deal in an attempt to add experience to their bowling department.

Other clubs are offering superior wages but Yorkshire are leading the race to land his signature.

Yorkshire chief Martyn Moxon said: "We're close to a deal with Ryan. There's still a couple of things that need sorting out before pen is put to paper but, hopefully, that will happen next week.

"Ryan has a real desire to play for Yorkshire. There's better offers on the table for him but the indications are that he wants to come back and play for us."

Sidebottom, who retired from international cricket earlier this month, played 54 first-class games for Yorkshire between 1997 and 2003, capturing 163 wickets at 25.12. He left for Trent Bridge under something of a cloud, citing a lack of first-team opportunities and hinting at personality clashes.

But that is all water under the bridge for the Huddersfield-born player, who remains a popular figure in Yorkshire cricketing circles.

Sidebottom may be the wrong side of 30, but Moxon believes he still has plenty to offer after six years in Nottingham during which he resurrected his international career and became one of the world's most accomplished bowlers.

"Ryan is in his 30s but he's still a very good performer," said Moxon. "The fact that he's not going to play international cricket again is important because it means he would be available for the whole season, and he also provides extra variety with his left-arm pace.

"I've got the utmost respect and admiration for him and I know he is desperately keen to finish his career on a high.

"Fingers crossed, he will do that at Yorkshire and become a very important member of our side."

Sidebottom retired from international action with some impressive statistics.

He took 79 wickets in 22 Tests at 28.24; 29 wickets in 25 one-day internationals at 35.82, and 23 wickets in 18 Twenty20 internationals at 19.00.

He was a member of England's Twenty20 World Cup-winning side earlier this year before helping Nottinghamshire to their second Championship during his time at the club.

Sidebottom opted to leave Nottinghamshire because they were only willing to offer him a two-year deal.

In announcing his departure, Sidebottom said: "I love the club; they have been absolutely amazing to me, but I have to do what's right for me and my family."

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