Sidebottom out of next two matches

More time on the sidelines for Ryan Sidebottom © Getty Images

Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of the next two matches in the NatWest series against India after failing to recover from the side strain which he picked up during The Oval Test. He missed the opening match of the series at The Rose Bowl, where England won by 104 runs, and after further examination, he won't be available for the games at Bristol or Edgbaston.

The England management have decided not to call up a replacement and Sidebottom will be reassessed ahead of the fourth ODI at Old Trafford on August 30. If he is still struggling a new bowler will be considered to bolster the squad.

England didn't suffer in Sidebottom's absence at the Rose Bowl with James Anderson and Stuart Broad leading the attack. Chris Tremlett is also in the squad, but wasn't selected for Tuesday's game, so is an option for the selectors if they want to strengthen the pace attack.

It will be a tempting option because the Indian batsmen struggled against Anderson and Andrew Flintoff, but found life easier against Monty Panesar. The next match at Bristol is also a day/night game so conditions could favour the seam bowlers under lights.