Cricket: Hoggard blow does rival no harm

May 17 2008 icWales

Steve Harmison has forced his way back into the reckoning for an England recall next week – after knocking out one of his leading rivals for a place in the second Test squad.

The Durham fast bowler seemed set for a long spell in county cricket attempting to attract the interest of the selectors after being dropped in New Zealand and then overlooked for the opening npower Test at Lord’s.

But Harmison moved up the pecking order today when it emerged he had accidentally fractured the right thumb of Yorkshire’s Matthew Hoggard when bowling to him during Durham’s championship victory at Chester-le-Street yesterday.

Hoggard, who was recalled to England’s squad for Lord’s but failed to make the starting line-up, has immediately been ruled out of contention for the second Test at Old Trafford starting next Friday.

With Andrew Flintoff unlikely to feature in the series after suffering an untimely side strain last week and Chris Tremlett doubtful with a back spasm, yesterday’s accident has propelled Harmison back into contention.

"We’re going to have to look at what options we’ve got for Old Trafford now Matthew has been ruled out," admitted coach Peter Moores, who is due to consult with national selector Geoff Miller to consider the options in the next few days.

"We’ll make our decision once I’ve sat down with Geoff and he can talk to the other selectors. Steve is a senior England player and he’s been on the tour during the winter and he’s playing county cricket so he’s in contention like everyone else."

Harmison, who has claimed 10 championship wickets so far this season, faces his biggest threat for a recall from inside the Durham dressing room with Graham Onions’ 13 wickets – including a five-wicket haul against Yorkshire – pushing his claims for a call-up.

But Harmison has proven in the past that he likes the bounce and pace of the Old Trafford wicket having claimed the last five-wicket haul of his Test career against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2006.

For now England are only ruling out Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff and Moores remains hopeful that Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett, who bowled impressively for the Lions against the tourists at the Rose Bowl last week, can recover to put his name forward for Old Trafford.

"Chris has had a back spasm and will be assessed again tomorrow and we’ll see if he’s available for selection or not," said Moores.

"I think he was picking something up when he got a spasm so how quickly it will settle down we’ll know more tomorrow.

"I’m really frustrated for Matthew. He’s done everything right and worked really hard.

"How bad the break is we don’t know, but it looks pretty certain that it’s going to rule him out of the Old Trafford Test and we just have to hope it’s not too bad a break and he can get back quickly."

Hoggard had only just forced his way back into the squad and admitted: "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.

"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 I can get back on the field with Yorkshire as soon as the fracture has mended."

While England’s fears about Hoggard’s injury were confirmed off the pitch, their hopes of establishing a major lead in the opening Test were equally gloomy.

Only 8.5 overs were possible during a day decimated by rain and bad light as England progressed from their overnight score of 68 without loss to reach 89 without loss in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 277.

Essex left-hander Alastair Cook at least used the time to pass 50 for the 17th time in England colours, bringing up his half-century with a back foot force through the covers for his seventh boundary, before rain halted play for the remainder of the day before lunch.

"It’s been frustrating that we didn’t have a chance to build on things today," added Moores.

"I think the way (Andrew) Strauss and Cook have played has been good, they’ve shown good intent in their running between the wickets and picked off the bad ball when they have had an opportunity."

The steady rain ensured the £1.1million in gate receipts must be returned under a clause which states spectators are entitled to a full refund if there are less than 10 overs played.