His 551 catches and 127 stumpings were a county record until beaten by Roger Tolchard, and his keeping skill made him a rival of incumbent national keeper Herbert Strudwick though Sidwell was never selected for England.
The following year he was taken on the staff[1] and appeared in the full 22 matches, scoring 315 runs, taking 34 catches and making six stumpings.
The resulting disagreement between the cricket administrative body and Surrey's captain Percy Fender created a minor media stir.
He enjoyed a benefit season with his club in 1926,[5] where he played 28 matches, scoring 892 runs at 22.30 (with his only other century), taking 36 and performing nine stumpings.
[3] He retired after the 1931 season, but reappeared in 1933 when Percy Corrall, his replacement as Leicestershire wicketkeeper, was injured,[1] making 13 appearances.