Hoggard aiming to get England place back
Matthew Hoggard wants England place back
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Monday, 23, Mar 2009 10:03
Former Test stalwart Matthew Hoggard has revealed he is determined to get back into the England squad.
The 32-year-old has not played for his country since being dropped after the first Test defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton last year. But his replacements in the team have failed to cement their places in the side after poor displays in India and the West Indies.
Hoggard has proven Test experience, taking 248 wickets in 68 games, and that could prove crucial in the upcoming Ashes series. The seam bowler is confident that if he can perform for his county Yorkshire then he could be back in the England reckoning.
"I love putting those Three Lions on my chest," Hoggard told Sky Sports News."I need to start playing well, take a lot of wickets for Yorkshire at the start of the season and knock on the selectors' door to let them know I'm still around."
Hoggard added that despite their below-par performances in the winter, he knew the current England bowlers will have a chance to stake their claims for an Ashes spot in friendlier English conditions.
"They have not been bowler-friendly (pitches in India and the West Indies), so I think it would be a bit harsh to drop them on that sort of performances.
"It will be interesting to see when they get back to England on friendlier tracks if they can produce the goods or not. It's up to them to keep their place and for every other bowler to knock loud enough for the selectors to open the door."