HOGGARD RECALLED FOR NZ TEST
Matthew Hoggard has been recalled to the England squad for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.
The Yorkshire fast bowler, who was dropped along with Steve Harmison on England's recent tour of New Zealand, has been brought back into the squad for the opening two Tests, the first of which starts at Lords on Thursday.
England welcome the touring New Zealand side to Lords on Thursday and with the Black Caps' stars currently playing in the Indian Premier League, England will go in as favourites. Check out all the cricket betting online markets with Sporting Index and follow all the action.
Steve Harmison has not been recalled whilst Andrew Flintoff is forced to wait before making his England comeback after sustaining a side strain in Lancashire's recent match with Durham.
Hoggard impressed during Friday's England Lions match against the tourists, claiming three wickets in a drawn match at the Rose Bowl and the 31-year-old, who is England's sixth highest wicket taker of all time, has also impressed for Yorkshire this year, recording figures of 6-57 against Hampshire last month.
"If I hadn't been in the squad I'd have thought that could have been the end of me," Hoggard said yesterday.
"There's a long way to go and I'm very happy about being included."
But Hoggard stressed that he has some work to do if he is to break into the first XI after James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Monty Panesar displayed some impressive form in New Zealand.
"The 11 who played in the last Test in New Zealand finished with two winning Tests so I need to keep knocking on the door because they're in the driving seat at the moment.
"Jimmy's bowling really well, he's just got a five-for against Durham, and the other lads I played against at Headingley and they're bowling well. It's up to the selectors but it's good for English cricket that there's all these people vying for not so many places.
"I'm quite capable of starting at Lord's if you look at my record, but they are the men in possession at the moment."
The recall also comes as a relief for Hoggard, who admitted that he thought that his career could be over.
"I was hoping to get back into
the squad because I thought I'd done enough to get back in and make sure I
stayed in. If I hadn't been in the squad I'd have thought that could have been
the end of me.
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