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Last Updated: Tuesday, 25 May, 2004, 16:56 GMT 17:56 UK
A brilliant win for us
Matthew Hoggard
By Matthew Hoggard
England pace bowler

To win the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's with seven wickets in hand was amazing.

We knew if we could bat the 90 overs we could win the Test match.

We batted sensibly to begin with and knew at lunch we were in a strong position because we had only lost two wickets.

Nasser Hussain's match-winning innings was fantastic.

I know Nasser is considering his future but I think he should play on.

He came to the crease in a pressure situation and to play the way he did was testament to his gritty character.

Cricket can be quite an annoying game at times
Matthew Hoggard

He has been a great servant to English cricket. He is gutsy and exactly the person England need at number four.

Nasser has got the experience, he's playing well and scored a hundred in a winning side so I think he needs to be selected for Headingley.

I think he will stay on and play 100 Tests.

But when he does retire it will be on his terms - he won't wait to be kicked out.

New Zealand made us work hard for the victory but it was a good, solid win for us.

I occupied the crease for quite a while in my role as night-watchman and I enjoyed being there.

I've been working on my batting with Phil Neale, England's assistant coach and operations manager, who has been trying to increase my confidence.

When you spend time in the middle you've got to back yourself hitting the ball and I haven't got many shots in my repertoire.

I'm a bit like Mark Richardson in that respect, although I get out a lot more than him!

I think I'd bore myself silly if I batted for 105 overs like he did but he's a great guy and played really well.

He used to bat at number XI when he was a left-arm spinner and has worked his way up the order.

I don't think I'll ever move that high up the order but I'd like to bat at seven or eight and score a few more runs.

I liked being the night-watchman because although it's a bit nerve-wracking at first when you're waiting to bat, once you get in you know you're not going to be rushing around at the end of the innings.

You've got more time to prepare yourself better for bowling so it's good in that respect.

I thought we bowled well as a unit despite the wicket being flat.

We had to put pressure on New Zealand to force them into making mistakes and there was a brilliant spell of reverse-swing bowling from Simon Jones and Steve Harmison.

The flat pitch needed quick bowlers which is why Andrew Flintoff and myself did not feature much in the second innings.

Cricket can be quite an annoying game at times because you can bowl well and not pick up any wickets and another time, you can struggle with your form but pick up five or six.

The next match is on my homeground so I'm looking forward to that and I believe England can go 2-0 up in the series.




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