mmg.com.au

Ryan Sidebottom’s meteoric rise was complete yesterday.

The 23-year-old fast bowler from Tallygaroopna not only became the 835th individual to play for the Victorian Bushrangers, but even bowled the game’s opening over.

Sidebottom was stunned to find out on Tuesday morning he was in the Bushrangers’ 13-man squad for their must-win Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at Bellerive Oval.

Tasmania likely needs an outright win to make the Shield decider, while Victoria will all but ensure its place if it can score first-innings points.

‘‘I was very surprised, a bit shocked ... it’s a bit of a blur,’’ Sidebottom said of his squad selection this week.

Sidebottom trapped former Australian one-day player Mark Cosgrove LBW for 81 yesterday for his maiden first-class wicket.

That wicket brought retired national Test captain Ricky Ponting to the crease, with a composed Sidebottom holding his own against one of cricket’s all-time greats.

Ponting went on to make 104 — his 80th first-class ton — in the Tigers’ day-one total of 6-369.

He tops the Sheffield Shield run-scorers’ list this season with 789 at an average of 87.7 after retiring from international cricket in December.

Sidebottom finished with figures of 1-68 from his 18 overs, including three maidens.

His action even drew comparisons to South African champion Shaun Pollock.

Sidebottom is the older brother of Collingwood premiership player Steele, who he lives with in Melbourne suburb Kew.

He suggested to The News on Tuesday he would be on equal terms with Steele’s sporting heroics if he made Victoria’s final XI.

The Age sports writer Michael Gleeson weighed in on the debate on Twitter yesterday.

‘‘Steele Sidebottom’s brother Ryan to make first-class debut for Vics in Shield match. Or is Steele now Ryan’s brother?’’ Gleeson tweeted.

Sidebottom received a barrage of support on social networking websites from the Goulburn Valley sporting community yesterday after a similar response on Tuesday.

He is the third Cricket Shepparton product to play state cricket in at least one form of the game this season behind Alex Keath (Victoria) and Aiden Blizzard (Tasmania).

Sidebottom, who made his Futures League debut for the Bushrangers’ second XI in late January after starring for Victorian Premier Cricket club Carlton, also represented his beloved Northerners this season.

He snared 6-16 in one match against Katandra before taking 1-34 in the final, which Mooroopna won.

Sidebottom said his next step was getting stronger and fitter to prepare his body for the rigours of playing regular four-day cricket.