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Cricket

Hoggard included in Test squad

17/12/2007

Fast bowler Matthew Hoggard has been included in England's 12-man squad for the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle this week.

The Yorkshireman missed the second Test because of a recurrence of a back injury, which kept him out for much of the domestic summer season.

It was feared that Hoggard could be ruled out of the entire series when he pulled up while bowling in the first Test, which ended in an 88-run defeat for England.

But it seems treatment on the injury - which was not as bad as first thought - has been successful and he could line up for the tourists in Galle for a match they need to win to draw the series.

Hoggard claimed six wickets in the first Test and his ability to extract movement and pace from the pitches on the sub-continent means he is an integral part of the England attack.

His return would be a major boost for captain Michael Vaughan, whose bowlers have struggled to contain an explosive Sri Lankan batting order in Hoggard's absence.

Michael Vandort and Mahela Jayawardene both scored centuries in the second Test as the hosts racked up 548 runs in their first innings before declaring, ending any realistic hopes of an England victory in Colombo last week.

In the absence of Hoggard it was the second declaration in a week from Sri Lanka, who called a halt to their second innings in the first Test on 442-8 to set up a victory.