Image courtesy of: ABC
Hoggard was the hero of England’s 2005 Ashes triumph
England pace bowler Matthew Hoggard, who will always be remembered for the crucial role he played during the 2005 Ashes series against Australia, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after an illustrious 17-year career.
Hoggard used his Twitter account to break the news as he posted that it was “time to hang up the boots”.
Hoggard represented England in 67 Test matches and took 248 wickets an a respectable average of 30.50 with his brilliant swinging deliveries.
He is currently the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Tests for England.
The 36-year-old will be best remembered for his 16 wickets during the 2005 Ashes series, where he continuously seemed to have former Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden in all sorts of trouble.
“I want to thank all of my family, friends, my past opponents, and both Yorkshire and Leicestershire for the support and dedication that they have shown me over the course of my career,” Hoggard said. “I have been inspired by so many different people and the late Phil Carrick is just one example of someone who supported me from the very beginning and I owe him a lot.
“Playing cricket professionally and, of course, playing as part of the national side is a dream that nearly every young boy growing up in Yorkshire shares. I feel truly honoured to have been given such incredible opportunities and I am grateful to everyone that I have worked alongside.
“I want to thank my wife Sarah for the immense support she has shown me throughout my career. She has always been there for me and has continued to help me to do the very best that I can for my team, both on an international and county level.
“Nothing will ever replace the role that cricket has played in my life but I am looking forward to a new chapter and the chance to spend a little more time with my family. Cricket will continue to be hugely important to me and I wish Leicestershire the very best of luck for the future.”
Peter Moores, who was the England coach towards the end of Hoggard’s international career, paid tribute to the 36-year-old, calling him one the best pace bowlers England ever produced.
“He’s been a real character,” Moores said. “Anyone who takes over 200 wickets for England and bowls the way he did and plays in iconic series like the 2005 Ashes will be satisfied when he looks back on his career.
“He started off as a really quick bowler when he burst on the scene and steadied that down to become a lively, out-swing bowler and very successful at it. He was very skilfull and a bit like we’ve seen with Jimmy Anderson, he learnt to bowl on the subcontinent, learnt to bowl in different conditions and learnt how to not just bowl in swinging conditions. He learnt how to run the ball on, bowl a cutter and do different things which is always a testament for anyone who has lasted in the game over a decent amount of time.”