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This winter’s trip to Sri Lanka marks Yorkshire fast bowler Matthew Hoggard’s second major tour of the sub-continent. His first came in India two years ago when he found himself carrying an inexperienced England attack in the wake of September 11th. It was a daunting experience, as he explains: “Several experienced bowlers pulled out after September 11th, which were quite presumptuous as it were before t'tour party were selected. So I were thrown in the deep end against Sachin and Co…”
On pitches that don’t tend to favour pace bowlers, Hoggard and his colleagues managed to just about contain the best batting side in the world, losing the series 1-0. “It was a challenge, but really I ‘ave Al Quaeda t’thank for me opportunity,” he acknowledges.
Since then it’s been an up and down time for the down to earth northerner, battling against injury as well as flat tracks on the sub-continent, but he’s come through it, in his own words, “a more mature, thoughtful performer.”
“I ‘ad a bit problem in 2002 when I went to Craig White’s barbers and got scalped”, quips the newly barnetted bowler. “Took me ages to get me ‘air and Chris Old sideys back, but Whitey and me still laugh about it.”
2003 has seen a resurgence both in Hoggard’s fitness and form. “It’s taken me a while to get back in t’squad. It’s never easy when you ‘ave players the calibre of Richard Johnson in t’set up – and he’s not even first choice…” The only thing missing from a rejuvenated Hoggard’s game now is wickets. “The lads jest with me about me ‘wicket-tekkin’ ball,” he says, “but I honestly can’t remember it!”
Clearly this is a modest, self-deprecating man, yet no one on the team tries harder on and off the pitch. Hoggard is viewed as one of the hardest trainers, and he balances out his cricket with other jobs to keep the bailiffs from the door. “I ‘ave to get permission from village elders to play in September ‘cos of t’harvest,” he says. “And of course I've got me ‘Hoggie’s’ sideline…”
‘Hoggie’s’ is a venture about which the England No. 11 is rightly proud, his own Pig Farmer-o-gram service. “I go round pubs and parties”, he says, with obvious enthusiasm. “I walk in t’room wearing this sou’wester and dirty mac, with a piglet tucked under one arm. I have to say things too, like ‘Eeee bah gum, where’s t’veterinary?’ There’s still a lot of demand for my services up north you know. When I’m on tour I ‘ave to get David Byas as t'stand in”.
One thing is for certain: come rain or shine and whatever his trade, Hoggie will keep running in giving his all.
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