Yorkshire fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom has announced he will retire from playing professional cricket at the end of the 2017 county season.

The 39-year-old, who helped England win the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010, will call time on a 20-year career spanning three decades in the summer.

Sidebottom will head into his final campaign with more than 1,000 career wickets to his name and five County Championship titles, after wins with Yorkshire in 2001, 2014 and 2015 and Nottinghamshire in 2005 and 2010.

Upon retirement he will focus on his cricket academies in York and Leeds, as well as helping under-privileged children in Yorkshire play the sport through his own foundation.

“There's a tear in my eye whenever I think about not playing professional cricket again - a game that's given me so much over the years But it's the right time and I want to go out on a high, rather than fade away as that's just not the sort of guy I am,” said Sidebottom.

“I've always tried to play with a smile on my face and give 110 per cent because I absolutely love this sport. It's been an honour to represent my home county, Yorkshire, play for my country and help make history at Nottinghamshire. I couldn't have asked for better team-mates and they've helped me become the cricketer I am today.



“I'm hoping that attitude will help me in the next stage of my career as I focus on the academy and bringing through amazing new young talent as well as helping reach kids who might not ever have the chance to play cricket due to circumstances beyond their control. Not everyone has been as lucky as me and that's something I never forget, so if we can make a difference to a few lives, then it's all worth it.”

Sidebottom made his England Test debut against Pakistan in 2001 and went on to play 22 matches, averaging 28.24. In 25 one-day internationals he averaged 35.82 and finished with an average of 19.00 from 18 international T20 matches.

Sidebottom helped England to World Twenty20 glory in 2010 (Getty)

Martyn Moxon, director of cricket at Yorkshire, praised Sidebottom's longevity in the game.

“He's been a fantastic servant to Yorkshire, Notts and England over the years - 20 years as a fast bowler is a remarkable achievement,” said Moxon. “He's a winner, we've all seen that, and he can be very proud of what he has achieved in cricket, an unprecedented level of success - it has been a fantastic career and he will be going out at the top.

“I hope we can keep him involved in a mentoring capacity going forward, as he has a lot to offer to the young fast bowlers in particular.

“There's no doubt that Ryan is highly motivated to finish on a high. He'll want to have a good season and will want the team to have a good season, so that should really put fear into batsmen rather than them think he will be a bit easier to face.”