KEY POINTS:
Stephen Fleming will only have himself to blame if Ryan Sidebottom cuts a swathe through New Zealand's batting line-up when the first cricket test with England starts at Seddon Park in Hamilton today.
Had it not been for Fleming, Sidebottom might have been destined to be a one-test wonder just like his father Arnie who earned his only cap against Australia in 1985.
Sidebottom started his test career against Pakistan at Lords in 2001 and was promptly consigned to the county wilderness after one wicketless experience.
It seemed that would be Sidebottom's lot but thanks to Fleming's perseverance the 30-year-old has re-established himself as an automatic choice in England's test team.
Sidebottom's earnest left arm swing was ignored during the Duncan Fletcher era, an oversight that still grates with the wild-haired Yorkshireman.
Fortunately for Sidebottom, he was not forgotten by Fleming, his captain at Nottinghamshire.
Though Fleming gave Sidebottom a glowing recommendation when England's assistant coach Andy Flower visited Trent Bridge before the 2007 season, the former New Zealand captain admitted he placed himself in a compromising position.
"Andy Flower came to me when I first arrived at Notts last year and I had to give an honest appraisal of Sidebottom's bowling," Fleming said.
"That killed me because I knew if I told them how good he was, then he'd be taken away from us and he'd do bloody well for England.
"It was a tough one, but of course I had to buy into the fact that counties are there to produce international players and I thought Ryan had been overlooked far too long.
"He had been bowling international spells for us without the rewards."
England's new coach Peter Moores was easier to convince than his predecessor and reinstated Sidebottom in May.
His faith has been amply rewarded with 29 wickets in nine consecutive tests since his return against the West Indies.
It was testament to his value to the current England set-up that his right hamstring strain represented the tourists' major concern in the week leading up to the test series.
Sidebottom duly flew through a fitness test and spoke of his admiration for Fleming before plotting to take the wicket of New Zealand's batting cornerstone.
"Stephen had a massive influence in getting me into the England set-up. He's been pushing me for years and talking to the England selectors."
Sidebottom said Fleming, who ended his county career at the end of the season, was the ideal mentor.
"He's a very positive captain, and quite mild-mannered, so he was great for me," Sidebottom said.
"He probably didn't help me much during the games but afterwards he would tell me a few things about my game, what I needed to improve on and what it's like playing in test matches.
"He's made me into a much more positive character when I'm bowling and encouraged me to keep plugging away and not give up."
The gratitude only goes so far though. Asked if he would go easy on Fleming during his farewell series, Sidebottom offered not a hint of sympathy: "I hope I can get him out," he said.
- NZPA
