Hoggard hoping to restore reputation

Matthew Hoggard returns to Chelmsford today determined to ensure his reputation as a high-class one-day bowler does not get savaged again in Yorkshire's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy quarter-final against Essex.

The last time Hoggard was at the ground with Yorkshire, he was intent on proving a point to the Essex opener and England captain Nasser Hussain before the triangular series with India and Sri Lanka.

That seven-wicket Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final defeat perhaps shaped his future during the NatWest Series, with Hoggard only featuring in four England matches. Hussain may even have played a major part in Hoggard's crisis of confidence, taking a liking to the young fast bowler and hitting an unbeaten 136 off 144 balls.

Having suffered a similar fate against India and Sri Lanka's top batsmen, Hoggard was looking for a return to county level this week to restore his flagging spirits, but instead faces another confrontation with Hussain.

Hoggard is likely to take over from the highly-rated youngster Tim Bresnan, who has been selected in the provisional squad for England's Academy but has not been considered because of his inexperience. Darren Gough has also been included in the squad, despite not having played a first-team match this season after his knee injury. Essex welcome back Hussain and captain Ronnie Irani.

The other quarter-final will see Kent face Gloucestershire, who are attempting to reclaim their reputation as the best domestic one-day side, having won the C&G and B&H Cups in 1999 and 2000. They go into today's quarter-final at Canterbury lifted by victory in five of the last six one-day matches and also the fact that their Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey has just returned from a groin strain. Harvey's return is likely to leave Jeremy Snape on the sidelines, although he is struggling to overcome a virus.

Kent, quarter-finalists last year, are hoping another Australian can take them into the last four. Queensland's Andrew Symonds will shoulder Kent's hopes although Robert Key is their most in-form player and averages 49 in this competition this summer.

Another impressive display from all-rounder Mark Ealham could cement a place in England's winter's itinerary.