Hoggard played Second XI cricket with Paul Grayson for Yorkshire

Essex have entered the race to sign ex-England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard following his release by Yorkshire.

"Matthew rang me shortly after his release to see if we'd be interested," coach Paul Grayson, Hoggard's old Yorkshire team-mate, told BBC Essex.

"I took that back to our committee and they said yes we possibly would be."

Hoggard has been the subject of plenty of interest, most recently from Leicestershire, who have offered the 32-year-old a three-year contract.

Essex won promotion to Division One of the County Championship on the final day of the season.

And Grayson, who played Second XI cricket alongside Hoggard for Yorkshire in 1995, hopes their return to the top flight could prove a major attraction for Hoggard.

"Matthew's played the majority of his career in Division One and done very well," said Grayson.

"It will come down to a couple of things as to whether we can sign him, finance, and if he is prepared to move south."

Hoggard's old Yorkshire and England team-mate Darren Gough made the same career move when he signed for Essex from Headingley in 2004.

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