'It wasn't really a cover drive. I blocked a full toss'
Matthew Hoggard, in an interview with Paul Newman for the Daily Mail, shares his experiences from a 17-year-long playing career
14-Sep-2013
Matthew Hoggard, England's seventh-highest wicket-taker in Tests, recently called it quits after announcing his retirement from the game on Wednesday. In an interview with Paul Newman for the Daily Mail, the seamer spills the beans on the historic 2005 Ashes series, meeting Tony Blair, the abrupt end to his England career, and his famous cover drive off Brett Lee that went for four to all but seal a memorable three-wicket win for the hosts in Trent Bridge.
Ah yes, Trent Bridge. The fourth Test, 2005, when Hoggard, a man who never pretended to be anything other than a tail-ender, led England to that decisive 2-1 lead in the most gut-wrenching of stands with Giles. One sweetly struck, text-book cover drive for four from Hoggard lives long in the memory of all English cricket fans. 'It wasn't really a cover drive. I blocked a full toss!' smiled Hoggard. 'And if it wasn't for 5,000 fans at the Radcliffe Road End sucking the ball over the line it would never have gone for four! I think I got eight off that over! Before we went out I was so nervous. Me and Gilo were at the back of the changing room trying not to watch and pretending we needed treatment from the physio but as soon as I got out there with him with a bat in my hand I felt in charge. It was like 12 or 14 runs needed? I can edge them…' He did more than that and England went on to the draw at the Oval that won them the Ashes. It was never going to get any better than that