Matthew Hoggard suffers broken thumb

By Scyld Berry

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Now the international season is underway, England's injuries are starting in earnest. Little more than a week ago Andrew Flintoff strained his left side, to be ruled out of England's Test series against New Zealand. Yesterday it was announced that Matthew Hoggard had broken his right thumb and been ruled out of England's 12 for the second Test starting in Manchester on Friday.

Andrew Strauss: Test match diary

Steve James: England miss Andrew Flintoff

First Test scoreboard | County Championship scoreboards

Hoggard was batting for Yorkshire in a losing cause on Friday evening when he was hit by Steve Harmison. A visit to a specialist this week will decide how long Hoggard's rehabilitation will take.

	Ruled out: Matthew Hoggard will miss the second Test after facing a Steve Harmison delivery

It would be a mistake however if Harmison was recalled to the England 12 for Old Trafford in place of Hoggard. When England's selectors announce a replacement after the first Test, another Durham fast bowler, Graham Onions, 25, deserves to be picked ahead of Harmison.

Onions took eight wickets for 98 runs in Durham's win over Yorkshire. Blessed with remarkable whippiness, he can generate steepling bounce as well as pace, like Harmison at his best, even though not so tall. Since going on two England A tours of Asia, Onions has also learned to pitch the ball up and swing it.

Now England need a fast bowler who can bang the ball in, to make batsmen reluctant to push forwards and blast out tailenders, especially at Old Trafford which rewards such bowling.

Hoggard said: "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."

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External links English Cricket - ECB Cricinfo - New Zealand Cricket

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