Matthew Hoggard: England's unsung hero

[barmyarmy]

Probably due to his average. 46 if you take away the games against Zimbabwe

Yeah but the point is that he hasn't played ODI cricket for a while and has improved greatly as a bowler.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Yeah but the point is that he hasn't played ODI cricket for a while and has improved greatly as a bowler.

This is why I think the Natwest challenge should be played against Bangladesh and not Australia. Give Hoggard and other ODI fringe players a chance. Or even put him in the England A one day squad for the tour they're starting soon.

 

[Stephen Bailey]

They could also send Anderson on that tour, just to get him games. Its unlikely he'll play in the ODI's in my opinion, Alex Wharf or Kabir Ali or both. It won't do him any good to be sat around watching the games.

 

[Will p]

After tghe way anderson bowled in the test he should never play international cricket ever again! it was a horrible performance, they should definately play hoggy, he is very good consistent bowler, why isnt he playing for england ODI, he would be the best they had!

 

[The_gas]

Will i have to disagree about Anderson its a little harsh imo. Yes his bowling was pretty awful. But he clearly has talent. I think he was put into the team to early considering he was plucked out of some team nearly burnleys second x11 or something. He gets movement and he has more pace and aggression than say hoggard, but he lacks disciplined bowling and much needed experience. He needs to go away and play county cricket. It weas not to long ago he was ripping through australia, well it was a while ago but still lol. And not forgetting his hatrick against pakistan in the odi series in england. All im saying is, with the right experience and preperation i think Anderson could yet be a future key bowler for england, after all hes only 21 i think.

 

[jonah]

Yeah, have to agree there Gas. This is the main problem with central contracts (which I think on the whole are a good thing). He's been sitting around too much over the last year without getting the overs under his belt, watching the likes of Harmy, Hoggy and Flintoff doing the business. Then he's plucked out of the nets and thrown into a high pressure Test situation, bowling against a man at the top of his form (Gibbs). Little wonder he had an attack of the 'yips'.
He has shown on numerous occasions in the past that he has the talent, accuracy and can swing the ball beautifully in the right conditions.
Just leave it to Fletch, he'll get the best out of him again.

 

[barmyarmy]

what worries me is that when he bowled it beautifully (0/12 from 10 overs against the Aussies springs to mind) he was using his old action. He doesn't seem to be as happy with this new action and as the commentators keep pointing out his head is dropping just before he delivers.

 

[jonah]

Hmm, the age old English principle of 'let's screw up the youngsters bowling action' springs to mind, although I heard they did it with Anderson to help avoid future injuries.

 

[Stephen Bailey]

'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' springs to mind.

 

[barmyarmy]

BBC Sport seems to think that Harmison will play although they've managed to admit Hoggard from their 10-man probable team so I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[Will p]

yeah, i just thiunk that if he bowls like he did in the match then he souldnt play international cricket again, but if he fulfills talent then yeah he should!

 

[m_vaughan]

Oh he most definately will. He is a gem!