Hoggard prepares to resume bowling

Matthew Hoggard has set his sights on an England recall for the third Test against South Africa, which begins at Trent Bridge on August 14.

Hoggard, who suffered a torn knee cartilage at the end of May, has missed six weeks of cricket so far this season. But he has been given the all-clear to play for Yorkshire in the next fortnight, and as he told Channel 4, he can't wait to get back into the England frame.

"I've been pencilled in for my first game in the next couple of weeks," said Hoggard, "and I've already been bowling off a shortened run in the nets. I have had to go back and realign my feet again to stop them crossing over and stop it happening again, but I'm hopeful of playing again soon and I hope to jog the selectors' minds in the next two or three weeks."

Hoggard was England's bowler of the season in 2002, when he took 28 wickets in seven Tests against Sri Lanka and India. But his stock fell during a difficult Ashes series, and he was a spectator throughout the subsequent World Cup. Given the start England's bowlers have made to the current Test, however, Hoggard will fancy his chances of a recall.