DROPPED England seamer Matthew Hoggard admits that his omission from the side for the second Test against New Zealand "hurt like hell" and feels the decision was "harsh".
After a comprehensive defeat in the first Test, bowlers Hoggard and Steve Harmison were dropped, with Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad drafted in.
Anderson, in particular, played a crucial part as England squared the series going into this weekend
's third and final Test in Napier and while Hoggard was pleased with the victory, he admits he found it tough watching from the wings.
"I was chuffed that the lads squared the series in Wellington, but I will not pretend that it was easy looking on from the sidelines," he said yesterday in his newspaper column. "It hurt like hell to be dropped. Playing for England is the biggest honour in the game, something I am aware of every time I pull on the shirt, and I will be doing everything I can to get back in the team as soon as possible."
Hoggard added: "The news came as a shock because it was the first time I had been dropped since the tour to Sri Lanka in December 2003. It is not that I took my place in the team for granted. Far from it. It was just that I did not expect to be left out for that game. I felt it was a harsh decision."
Anderson, meanwhile, is hoping to savour a significant triumph in the final Test after fearing his comeback for England could be cut short by a freak injury.
The Lancashire paceman enjoyed a stunning return in the second Test, claiming five wickets in the first innings.
But with victory in their sights, Anderson twisted his left ankle playing football. Fortunately, he was able to get through that final day as England triumphed by 126 runs to level the series and is now ready to spearhead the tourists' bid to claim a series triumph.
"We knew we had to improve quite a bit from the first Test and we did that, but I think we can still improve quite a bit more," said Anderson.
"The catching is one area to improve on, and there are others, too. When batsmen get in, it's important for them to get big scores and when bowlers are on top they need to go for the kill.
"But we're happy with the way the second Test went generally. We're not getting ahead of ourselves, but we're pretty confident and it would be great to come from behind and win the series – not many teams team do that over three games, especially away from home."
Anderson took part in practice yesterday and is hopeful the ankle will improve before the start tomorrow as he attempts to cement his place in the side over a lengthy period of time.
"It's probably not 100 per cent still. It felt a bit stiff today after having two days off, and travelling probably didn't help, but hopefully it will gradually loosen up again with another practice session tomorrow.
"I was very pleased with the way the Test went. I guess I was a little bit surprised to get the nod but once that happened I just wanted to show what I could do and make a claim to stay in the side."
With both Hoggard and Harmison desperate to reclaim their places, Anderson faces stiff competition already which may intensify further following the successful return of Lancashire team-mate Andrew Flintoff to bowling action.
Flintoff claimed two for nine in five overs as Lancashire beat Sussex during a pre-season tournament in Dubai with his first competitive bowl since undergoing his fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle. "It's great news, great for him," added Anderson. "I saw him over Christmas and all the lads back in Lancashire say how hard he's been working on his fitness.
"The sooner he can get back bowling at his best the better. It would be nice to think he's fit and well for the start of the championship season next month."
New Zealand will be without leading wicket-taker Kyle Mills after he failed to shrug off a niggling knee injury.
The full article contains 706 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
