By Matthew Hoggard England bowler in Australia

Watching the fireworks from a boat in Sydney Harbour, the New Year's celebrations were doubly special for me after I heard about my recall for the World Cup.

I was ecstatic to get back into the one-day side, and even the gale force winds that made several members of the squad seasick could not spoil it.

Every other Test side announces their line-up the day before but we seem to think the wicket might change as we warm up!

I was in limbo land after being dropped, trying to work out what was going on.

With all the different players being drafted in, and the youngsters doing well I couldn't be sure what was going to happen.

I really thought if they picked Jimmy Anderson they would not select me.

I'm still in limbo, though, over my place in the Test side, and the management's policy in naming the XI does not help.

The last two Tests have been spent on the sidelines

It's quite a strange situation because you don't find out if you are playing until the morning of the game.

Every other Test side announces their line-up the day before to have time to prepare but we seem to think the wicket might change as we warm up!

I suppose they keep the option open of playing an extra seamer or a spinner but it is a bit ridiculous because the pitch doesn't alter that much overnight.

We had a net at the SCG on Wednesday morning and, while the pitch will definitly take turn I believe swing might play a part here.

Australia have played against fast bowlers on bouncy wickets all their lives so I don't think we can bowl them out simply by asking the quicks to ram it up their noses.

They have suffered a big blow with injuries to their two major weapons in Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

But their main concern is going to be the fitness of Jason Gillespie, who has been their best bowler for much of the summer.

'Dizzy' passed a fitness test on his knee on Wednesday but if he struggles it will leave Australia looking to less experienced players to keep the runs down.

Gillespie's fitness is key for Australia

Currently Brett Lee's sole role it to take wickets so that would have to change and it would be interesting to see how he coped.

Getting into the fifth day at Melbourne lifted our morale, and we did well to take five wickets for under 100.

It was not really a true reflection of their batting ability, though, because they were chasing a low total and just going for their shots.

I doubt they would have done the same thing in the first innings or chasing 450.

But they do have a tendency to stay in top gear, so if you take a couple of early wickets you stand a chance of getting into the middle order and causing a collapse.

Winning this Test is very important because we haven't played the cricket we're capable of over here.

It's important that we set the ball back in motion and play the cricket that we want to play ready to face the Test sides coming to England next year.

I'll find out whether I've got a part to play shortly before the toss.