Hoggard delighted with bowling form
Guyana Chronicle
March 8, 2004

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FAST bowler Matthew Hoggard is pleased with his and England's form ahead of the first Test against the West Indies on Thursday.

Hoggard took a match haul of 4-41 as England beat a Vice Chancellor's XI by an innings and 85 runs in Jamaica.

The Yorkshire paceman added to the three wickets he took in the first warm-up match.

Hoggard told the BBC: "I've got a few wickets so I've given the selectors something to think about."

He is not an automatic choice but did his Test chances no harm with his display, which could see him leap above James Anderson in the pecking order.

Simon Jones showed he was nearing his best with six wickets in the match, including 3-3 in the second innings.

And spinner Ashley Giles was in the wickets too, claiming five in the game.

Hoggard said: "It was nice to bowl on a wicket that was doing something.

"I was very disappointed to be dropped on the Sri Lanka tour.

"Captain and coach have got to pick the five guys who are going to take 20 wickets and they didn't think I was one of those guys."

Hoggard said he worried over the Christmas break whether he would be picked again and was delighted when he knew he was in the squad.

He believed Brian Lara would be England's biggest threat, although any of the left-handers could cause problems.

England have been doing their homework by analysing batsmen's techniques using the latest computer technology.

"We have come up with a game plan and it will be an interesting time to see what Brian [Lara] can do on his own soil under pressure," said Hoggard.

"He's really the mainstay of the West Indies batting.

"Sabina Park is going to be quite an experience on Thursday with quite a hostile crowd but also a fun-loving crowd.

"It's going to be hard work but hopefully I'll get the nod.” (BBC Sport)