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Cricket

Hoggard and Harmison victims of England axe for second Test

12/03/2008

England have replaced fast bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison with James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the second Test against New Zealand.

The changes are in response to a below-par performance in the 189-run defeat to the Black Caps in the opening Test of the three-match series in Hamilton last week.

However, despite a particularly poor batting display in which the tourists scored very slowly in their first innings of 348 and were skittled out for just 110 in the second innings, there are no changes elsewhere in the team.

Captain Michael Vaughan described the decision to cut Harmison and Hoggard as "a very tough call" but said he had "a gut feeling" it was the right thing to do.

"We felt the attack just needed a bit of a shake-up and it's a great opportunity for Jimmy and Broady to come in and try and establish themselves at this level," he said.

"I also hope Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison really fight and try and get their places back because that's going to create a healthy environment as well."

Both Hoggard and Harmison were well below their best in the first Test, as they returned combined figures of 2-272 with just one wicket each.

Hoggard's bowling in the second innings was more economical than the first innings, but Harmison showed little improvement as Vaughan chose to use him for only four overs.

Nevertheless, the England captain described it as "an exciting time" for the bowlers, who are being urged to make an impression on the selectors.

"I'm leading a new attack into a Test match," Vaughan continued.

"It certainly looks very exciting, even if it is a little bit lacking in experience but I think they have enough talent to take them through and put the New Zealand batsmen under a lot of pressure."

Asked whether England had considered changing the misfiring batting lineup, Vaughan added: "Not really. A change was talked about but we thought they deserved another opportunity to try and put it right this week."