Sidebottom loses fitness battle

Ryan Sidebottom looks set to lose his battle to be fit after his long-standing Achilles tendon problems, in time for the start of England's one-day series against India next week.

The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer has struggled with a variety of injuries over the last few months, but appeared to be on the way back when he was included in the squad for the Stanford Series and the tour to India.

But after missing the end of last summer with side injuries - including the end of the Test series and all five one-dayers against South Africa - Sidebottom suffered a recurrence of his Achilles trouble in the first over of his comeback against Middlesex in Antigua.

He was therefore not included in the otherwise strong 12-man line-up for England's opening one-day warm-up match against the Mumbai Cricket Association.

The tourists have resisted the temptation to experiment in the build up to the start of the seven-match one-day international series, which begins in Rajkot next Friday.

They have agreed to a 12-a-side match and included all their leading players for the first of two matches as part of the preparation.

Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright, who has been a key member of the limited overs side during the last few months, has been left out alongside Alastair Cook and reserve wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.

England team to face Mumbai Cricket Association: KP Pietersen (Hampshire, capt), IR Bell (Warwickshire), MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt), OA Shah (Middlesex), A Flintoff (Lancashire), PD Collingwood (Durham), RS Bopara (Essex), SR Patel (Nottinghamshire), GP Swann (Nottinghamshire), SC Broad (Nottinghamshire), SJ Harmison (Durham), JM Anderson (Lancashire).

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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