When a bowler finds a pitch that suits him down to the ground, cricket people tend to say that he would like to take it with him. For Matthew Hoggard, that pitch is and perhaps always will be the green and pleasant strip of Christchurch 2002. And since it is portable, he really could take it with him when he packs his bags this weekend. Every Hogg has his day and today, in the space of one mammoth spell, was the moment when the man who nearly became a vet made the grade as a Test cricketer. In 17 overs of pace, swing, shrewdness and stamina, Hoggard fulfilled all the promise he has shown for two years and the predictions made on his behalf, notably by Jeff Thomson. In India he had been admirable but far from lethal. In the one-day series here he had been good enough to see off some fairly mild competition from Andy Caddick, but was not a patch on Darren Gough. Today he was so good that Gough, the one Englishman the New Zealand fans have been talking about, wasn't missed at all.

Hoggard is a man of the people. He looks more like a member of the Barmy Army than a member of the team, and he has a place in their hearts and chants second only to Andy Flintoff. He brings no pouts and tantrums, no abuse or advice for opponents, no airs and graces. Usually he has no hair either, but in a curious decision, possibly an attempt to swap hairstyles with Flintoff, he has allowed his thatch of spiky straw to grow a little. Maybe he's been reading the Bible by his hotel bed. Don't call him Shrek, call him Samson (with a hint of Bart Simpson).

For England, Hoggard's performance had two kinds of significance. It put them in charge of this match, and made Nasser Hussain's innings stand out all the more - in a game of ducks and 30s, a hundred is priceless. Hussain has shown sustained faith in Hoggard; now Hoggard has repaid him in wickets and lustre.

More importantly, Hoggard has become the third great find of the Hussain-Fletcher era, after Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan. Wildly different to look at, the three of them share some crucial virtues: character, composure and an old-fashioned lack of vanity. And they are all part of the nucleus of the team now. Another one joins the core.

One five-for on a helpful surface doesn't make a career, as Ed Giddins or Alex Tudor could tell Hoggard if he wasn't obviously capable of seeing it for himself. But his finest hour, unlike theirs, is just an upward tilt in a steady curve. In an English-style town, in English-style conditions, a great English tradition today found new life.

Tim de Lisle is editor of Wisden.com. Look out for his Wisden Verdict soon after the close of play tomorrow.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd