Hoggard injury blow for England

Matthew Hoggard became the latest England fast bowler to suffer an injury yesterday - and the England selectors were right on the spot at Worcester yesterday to see it. Finalising their squad for the one-day internationals against Pakistan next month the Yorkshireman, the most experienced of the callow pace attack that played against Zimbabwe at Lord's, bowled only three balls in the C & G Trophy fourth round match.

His first dismissed Graeme Hick, but he soon limped off with a knee problem. He then had the knee iced and watched the remainder of the innings from the dressing room. Hoggard, who was passed fit for the Test only at the 11th hour after struggling with a side strain, will have a scan in Leeds today. "It's a question of waiting and seeing what the scan produces," he said.

Yorkshire are not having the best of luck with their international fast bowlers - Ryan Sidebottom had the bizarre figures of 0.1-0-11-0 on Sunday in a National League game thanks to five wides and being hit for a six before leaving the field with a hamstring strain.

The Yorkshire captain, Anthony McGrath, missed the game with a side strain suffered during his wicket-taking spell against Zimbabwe on Saturday. He will also have a scan today.

Darren Gough did take two wickets and England's new one-day captain, Michael Vaughan, made 47, but they could not stop the holders losing by 67 runs.

Andrew Flintoff was not included on Tuesday in Lancashire's XII for the game at Durham and all the indications from the England camp were that he would not play. Despite that, he made 31, coming in No 5. There was no need for him to test his injured shoulder by bowling as James Anderson, England's new fast bowling sensation, and Peter Martin took three wickets apiece as visitors won by 143 runs with almost 24 overs to spare.

In the recent County Championship game against Essex Anderson took a hat-trick with Nasser Hussain the unfortunate batsman in the middle. The England captain suffered a similar fate again at Edgbaston, but with even less dignity as he was run out without facing a ball. Will Jefferson, tipped to be in the England squad, failed to score as well as Essex were reduced to 0 for 2 on their way to 256 for 5 off their 50 overs.

That was not enough as 108 from Dougie Brown, a long forgotten part of England's one-day set-up, and Ashley Giles's continuing fine form with the bat - he made an unbeaten 71 - secured victory for Warwickshire by three wickets.

With the belief that youth should be given its head it was one of England's oldest who guided Surrey to victory at Taunton. Not so long ago, Graham Thorpe was guaranteed a place in the one-day side as a "finisher". There was no need for that yesterday as Surrey batted first and his unbeaten 102 was the highlight of their 281 for 6.

As ever Thorpe drove and flicked most of his runs on both sides of the wicket and brought up his 102-ball hundred off the penultimate delivery of the innings.

Adam Hollioake, in the England squad this winter, but ignored, is said to be admired by Vaughan and he proved his all-round worth as he put on 63 with Thorpe in 10 overs. Delaying his introduction into the attack until the 45th over he then took 3 for 19.