Sidebottom ruled out of tour match

	Ryan Sidebottom is struggling with a hamstring problem ahead of the Test series © Getty Images

Ryan Sidebottom will miss England's final warm-up match ahead of the first Test against New Zealand with a hamstring strain. He picked up the problem during the final ODI in Christchurch and didn't bowl in the two-day game against an Invitational XI.

Michael Vaughan played down the seriousness of the problem after England's remaining fast bowlers enjoyed a successful work out in Dunedin, dismissing the home side for 146 and reducing them to 102 for 3 in the follow on.

"We're not concerned about him for the Test match at this stage and it's a little bit of a precaution that he'll miss the three-day game, but he has got a slight problem so there has to be some concern," said Vaughan. "Hopefully over the next few days he'll heal fast and he'll be able to start bowling towards the end of the three-day game or when we arrive in Hamilton."

However, the loss of Sidebottom would be a blow as he seemed certain to form a four-man attack with Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar. The same four bowlers finished the Test series in Sri Lanka, but despite struggling for wickets are expected to find success easier to come by in New Zealand.

Harmison put in a less-than-convincing performance on the second day in Dunedin - his three wickets interspersed with plenty of wayward deliveries - although Vaughan is confident he'll be ready for the Tests.

"Steve gets better the longer he bowls - he was one of the reasons we went out and bowled again. The first of the warm-up games is always just to get into it. We've learnt a bit about the conditions and the ball is swinging, which is good for us - hopefully that will continue."

If Sidebottom doesn't make the cut for Napier on March 5 it is likely to come down to a choice between Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Both had a decent run out against the Invitational XI although Anderson has some ground to make up after a poor one-day series. Chris Tremlett, who was retained in the squad following the one-dayers, seems unlikely to figure in the three-day match.