Bad break for Hoggard

Hoggard: Ruled out of Old Trafford Test

It's a major disappointment to me to get injured at this stage of the season especially as I feel that I have been bowling well for Yorkshire in county cricket

Matthew Hoggard
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Matthew Hoggard will not be part of England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand after breaking his thumb.

The seamer sustained the injury while batting for Yorkshire against Durham when he was struck by former international team-mate Steve Harmison.

Hoggard was only playing for his county at the Riverside after not being selected in England's starting XI for the series opener with the Black Caps at Lord's.

He will now see a specialist next week to determine the full extent of the injury and the likely recovery period.

"It's a major disappointment to me to get injured at this stage of the season especially as I feel that I have been bowling well for Yorkshire in county cricket," Hoggard said.

"I'm really determined to try and win back my place with England so I am hoping that the injury is not too serious and that I can get back on the field with Yorkshire as soon as the fracture has mended."

Selection headache

With Hoggard sidelined England's selectors now face a dilemma over who they name as a replacement for the match at Old Trafford.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff is ruled out with a side strain that is likely to mean he will not be available until the home series with South Africa later this year.

After impressing for the England Lions against the tourists at the Rose Bowl recently, Hampshire's Chris Tremlett would have been a strong candidate until he suffered back spasms playing against Surrey.

Ironically Harmison, who claimed six wickets in Durham's win over the White Rose county, could now be in line to replace the man he injured.

The 29-year-old's major rival for a recall could be his county colleague Graham Onions, who has made an impressive start to the domestic season.

With the second Test starting on Friday, England will name their 12-man party following the conclusion of the current Test.