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If Hoggard does not play in any of this summer's Test matches, he will, presumably, cease to be a centrally contracted player come the Autumn.

On the record as not wishing to succeed Gough as Yorkshire captain, I cannot see him playing on as a county player. Matthew is a highly intelligent lad, and he may well conclude that if his Test career is over, he could probably (given his youth) cut out a new career either in "the media" or even in something far removed from cricket altogether.

I am sure that he is wise enough to know that at his age and with the gifts and talents he possesses, the world is his oyster.

Whatever happens, I wish him well. Savour his remaining performances for YCCC this season; they may be the last that you will see! Whenever I have seen him bowling for Yorkshire this year, he has done so with great heart.

Finally, how Pattinson can be selected ahead of Hoggard is a mystery to me, but then equally mysterious was the appointment of Geoff Miller as Chairman of Selectors.

Yes it is, along with Vaughan's. All change!

Agree his chances of playing for England now are zero but hope he does not retire yet. We are losing Gough and Kruis at the end of this season, if Hoggy goes and we change our overseas player (does Naved have a 1 or 2 year contract), that could be 4 quickies to find for the start of next season. It would give Shazad and Patterson a first team oppurtunity but is there any one else good enough in the seconds. Hang on a coulple more years please Hoggy.

Good point, Stu. Some people view 2008 as a rebuilding year for the Tykes, but in actuality it will be 2009 when we need to revamp most of our attack. Juat another reason why we must stave off demotion this year. If we go down it could be several years in the wasteland of the sevond division before we are really competitive again.

Alas, Hoggy's Test career is over. Clearly in using Pattinson, 'management' are exhibiting no confidence in Hoggard. (He surely deserved a recall given his good 2008 performances and considering his loyalty to Engalnd in the past.)

Ironically, his England demise will likely not help the Tykes, since he'll probably retire anyway, once he's sure he is no longer in England's plans. Ditto for Michael Vaughan.

.....between Hoggard and Vaughan when their England days are over, is that Vaughan has always said that he would want to play for Yorkshire when that day comes.

We shall see!

I hope you are right, Tony. With Gough retiring, the timing would seem to be perfect. And he'd solve at least half of our perennial opening bat woes. I think it would be a good fit.

I'm not so sure Hoggard's test career is over. Given the pathetic bowling by England over the past two South African innings, the attack will be re-jigged for the third test. Sids will be back in and Pattinson will be gone. Hoggy must surely at least be in the frame for a recall.

However, if he isn't recalled for the third test, he should get in touch with the "Fat Lady." I hear she does retirements as well as wakes.

I'm not sure that I really want to see any "Fat Ladies" singing to Yorkshire players.

When fat ladies sing it usually means that all things have come to an end and I'm not sure that I wish to see the demise of the White Rose just yet!

Am i right in saying this is Hoggy`s benefit year at Yorkshire ?

As Yorkshire supporters I hope we can give him a fitting send of, if this is his final year at our club.

The way England have treated him this season is shambolic and I feel Vaughan has already left Yorkshire
since I can`t remember the last big score he got for us.

I don`t know if this is down to the way the ECB pick and choose the games he can play in which must affect his preperation for games.

Here, here. He deserves a fitting send-off. Good point!

Some sharp comments here.

But alas for Hoggy, Steve Harmison is having a greet season, and if Tremlett doesn't get the call Harmy will. Besides Harmy is two years younger than, Hoggard - a significant factor with fast bowlers.

You do wonder if after touring places such as Australia and the West Indies, how appealing the thought of spending five or six days a week trundling around Derby or Leicester would be.

At the start of play on Friday I suspect Hoggys test career was over but now I think it is resurrected again having seen the performance of the bowling attack. Getting wickets against an average NZ team seems to have resulted in everyone thinking our seam attack are world beaters but the reality is now being discovered against the Saffers and quality has been in short supply.

Broad has a steep learning curve and is clearly the future but he is being found out in this Test. Pattison was the wrong pick but its not his fault its the selectors - however they always go for horses for courses at Headingley and based on past one-off selections I suspect he won't be seen again. However, they clearly wanted a swing bowler not a tall hit the deck bowler (Harmi, Tremlett etc) as we already have Fred and Broad to do this. Sadly, a swing bowler still needs some quality and Hoggys stockm will have risen by not playing.

I dont know if Hoggies Test career is over or not, but it was really sad to hear him 'winging on' to all sections of the Media recently.I always thought of him as above that sort of thing.

Surely Hoggard should do what the massive majority of English players do(without an ECB contract), get back to playing as well as he can for his Club. Always hoping to get back in if he does well, but should regard himself as very privileged whichever way it goes.Sorry Hoggie, I am a bit disapointed with you,cricket doesnt owe you a living you know.