Harmison and Hoggard took just two wickets in the first Test in New Zealand

Ryan Sidebottom has backed fellow fast bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison to regain their England form.

The pair were criticised by ex-England coach Duncan Fletcher in a Sunday newspaper interview, but Sidebottom said: "They are both fantastic bowlers.

"I am sure they will be working hard on their games and they are always going to be around the (England) team.

"They will be pushing hard to play in the first Test (against New Zealand) at Lord's (starting on 15 May)."

Fletcher told the Sunday Telegraph that both Harmison and Hoggard may struggle to regain their Test spots after being dropped during England's tour of New Zealand.

"(Harmison) will find it hard. He'll need some consistent performances," he said.

"It's typical Harmy - he could and should be the number one bowler in the world but he can't seem to put it all together."

On Hoggard, Fletcher said: "I was not surprised (about Hoggard being dropped) - he always struggled when he was the main strike bowler.

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"His speed has been dropping for a while. I heard someone say he's lost his nip, but I thought it had gone a while ago."

Fletcher led England to their first Ashes series win in 18 years when his team beat Australia 2-1 in 2005, as Harmison and Hoggard weighed in with 33 wickets. Fletcher also believes that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, fit again after a foot injury, needs to improve his batting as he is "not a Test match number six".

He added: "I hope his foot does allow him to bowl properly because otherwise his batting will need to improve.

"I think it has become pretty obvious he is not a Test match number six. He is a number seven."