LONDON (Reuters):
ENGLAND SEAM bowler Matthew Hoggard is doubtful for Thursday's first Test against Pakistan after suffering a freak injury playing rugby.
The Yorkshireman needed six stitches after being spiked in his bowling hand by the boot of teammate Tim Bresnan before the start of the third day of the match between England A and Pakistan at Canterbury yesterday.
"It is a warm-up scenario that we've gone through lots of times before," Hoggard said. "I went to catch a rugby ball, Tim went to kick it, my hand met his spikes and it ripped two holes in it.
"Hopefully it will heal quickly and I will be available (for the Test) but we'll have to see how it heals, see how the stitches hold out.
"It has been a tough summer, we've had a lot of injuries and hopefully I'm not going to add to the list."
