Matthew Hoggard, the Yorkshire and England medium-fast bowler, was today released from international duty and made available to play for his county in their game against bottom-of-the-table Northamptonshire, which starts today at Wantage Road. Hoggard will, however, have to endure a frustrating weekend of inaction, as Yorkshire decided not to pick him for their CricInfo Championship match, leaving the bowler without a game.

The England selectors made the decision at a meeting last night, thus leaving them with a straight choice between off-spinner Robert Croft and all-rounder Dominic Cork for the final place in the starting line-up for the First Ashes Test at Edgbaston tomorrow. There is still a slight chance that Ashley Giles, England's first-choice spinner, may play, but it is expected that he will be finally ruled out this afternoon with his Achilles problems.

Despite suggestions that Ian Ward would move up the order to bat at Number 3 in place of the injured Michael Vaughan, it appears that recalled Mark Butcher will bat at three, followed by Hussain, Stewart, Ward and debutant Usman Afzaal at number seven.

England's injury problems prior to the First Test tomorrow have been well-documented, and leaves them with an inexperienced batting line-up which includes five openers. Vaughan, who would have batted at three, is to undergo keyhole surgery on his left knee tomorrow, an operation which is likely to sideline him for around a month, ruling him out at least until the Third Test at Trent Bridge on August 2nd.

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