Pie Chucker

Steve Harmison used the recent Durham v Yorkshire fixture to boost his chances of a return to the England side; he broke rival bowler Matthew Hoggard’s thumb.  Of course Hoggard isn’t actually in the England team otherwise he would have been at Lords, not the Riverside, but as the 12th man he is above Harmison in the pecking order.   Break another 60 or so thumbs and Harmy could be NEXT IN LINE FOR A TEST PLACE in the event of an injury, loss of form or falling out with the selectors from Siders, Jimmy or Broadola.  There is always hope, Steve-o!

Traditionally English cricketers provide laughs via batting collapses and dropped catches so injuring each other in a county game is quite innovative.  Hoggard tried to remain positive:

‘It’s a major disappointment to me to get injured at this stage of the season, especially as I feel that I have been bowling well for Yorkshire,’ he said. ‘I am really determined to win back my place with England, so I am hoping that the injury is not too serious.’  Matthew’s place - the superflous 12th man - goes to Chris Tremlett, who has already been told he’s, er… superflous for the 2nd Test at Old Trafford starting tomorrow.