Last updated 11:49, Monday, 18 August 2008

PETER Moores is confident Ryan Sidebottom can withstand the physical demands of international cricket after injury again ruled him out of the build-up to England’s one-day series against South Africa.

Nottinghamshire’s left-arm seamer has been a key part of England’s attack in all forms of cricket ever since forcing his way into the side at the start of last summer.

He has played 17 Tests and 14 one-day internationals since, but a succession of little niggles forced him out of two of the four Tests against South Africa, a factor that contributed to the tourists claiming their first series victory on English soil since 1965.

Sidebottom was again missing, with a hip problem, as England linked up in Edinburgh today to prepare for tomorrow’s inaugural one-day international against Scotland at the Grange, and the injury will also rule him out of Wednesday’s Twenty20 International against South Africa at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

With Chris Tremlett, another player who is no stranger to the treatment table, also struggling with a heel injury and forcing England to call up Yorkshire’s Tim Bresnan as cover, it is a frustrating time for coach Moores as he prepares for five one-day internationals against South Africa in the coming weeks.

But Moores is insistent there is no reason why Sidebottom cannot handle the physical intensity of international cricket.