Martyn Moxon insists Yorkshire are in a win-win situation with regards to Matthew Hoggard's England prospects.

The White Rose coach believes the Baildon bowler has every chance of reclaiming his international spot in time for the first Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord's on May 15.

But to do that, 31 year-old Hoggard must perform well for his county in the opening weeks of the domestic season.

And if he does not dislodge either James Anderson or Stuart Broad, the Tykes will have their star bowler for longer than they expected.

Hoggard was left out of the England side for the second and third Tests of the recent winter tour to New Zealand.

"I have no idea whether he will be picked," said Moxon after today's friendly against Lancashire was washed out at Old Trafford.

"I would have thought that a lot will depend on whether he performs for Yorkshire or not. We had Hoggy early on last season and he did well, so we have just got to hope for the same again.

"If he can't manage to get himself back into the Test side, then he will be with us for a bit longer."

Hoggard and England captain Michael Vaughan are expected to return to county action in next Wednesday's three-day friendly against Leeds & Bradford UCCE at Headingley Carnegie.

Moxon cut a frustrated figure as he left a rain-sodden Manchester this morning, bemoaning the fact that his troops have only had one day of cricket in English conditions.

He said: "I was really hoping to use these two days at Old Trafford to get into Championship mode. I wanted to give the guys the opportunity to push for places."

South African batsman Jacques Rudolph has arrived in England and could feature in the scheduled two-day friendly against Durham at Headingley which starts tomorrow.

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