Matthew Hoggard's hopes of a recall to the England cricket team have been dealt a blow because he has broken his right thumb.

The seamer was struck on the hand by a shot from his former England team-mate Steve Harmison during the County Championship match between Yorkshire and Durham at Chester-le-Street.

Hoggard was immediately ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand and he will visit a specialist next week to determine the full extent of the injury and recovery time before he can play again.

Hoggard said: "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 in county cricket.

"I'm really determined to try and win back my place with England so I am hoping that the injury is not too serious and that I can get back on the field with Yorkshire as soon as the fracture has mended."

Hoggard was named in England's 12-man squad for the current Test against New Zealand at Lord's, but he was not chosen to play.

Both Hoggard and Harmison lost their places in the England Test team during the tour of New Zealand last winter.

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