Hoggard overlooked for Headingley

4:40pm Friday 18th July 2008

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Anthony McGrath has revealed his surprise at Darren Pattinson’s inclusion in the England side for the current Test match against South Africa at Headingley.

Nottinghamshire’s Grimsby-born but Australian-raised pace bowler was given the nod for a surprise debut when Ryan Sidebottom was ruled out with a stiff back.

Chris Tremlett was next in line, having been called up earlier in the week, while Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard, pictured, was another one unlucky to have missed out.

“I was really surprised. I heard that they had called Tremlett into the squad and thought that if there was a doubt over one of the bowlers then he would be the one to come in,” said McGrath.

“But for Pattinson to come in at Headingley ahead of Tremlett and Hoggy as well is quite surprising.”

McGrath reasoned that with Hoggard, he is the one bowler who knows conditions at Headingley better than anyone.

He also continued: “I think he is centrally contracted for a reason really, but at the moment the signs don’t look too good.

“I don’t really know what messages the selectors are sending out. All you can do is keep performing at county level.

“I don’t think you can say that it is the beginning of the end for Hoggy, but it is just a question of consistency in selection.”

More importantly for Mags is Yorkshire’s Pro40 League Division Two clash with Surrey at Guilford on Sunday.

The 32-year-old accepts that the Tykes have had a worrying couple of weeks, including Wednesday’s 40-over defeat at Essex.

“We played some great cricket for the first half of the season but the last couple of weeks we are just going through a bit of bad form,” he continued.

“I think it will only take one game to swing things round, hopefully that will be on Sunday.”