Foxes declare Hoggard interest

Leicestershire are hoping to hold talks with former England bowler Matthew Hoggard after his Yorkshire career came to an acrimonious end on Monday.

Hoggard, 32, was released by Yorkshire after 15 years at Headingley, sparking a bitter exchange between player and club, with the seamer declaring himself hurt by the news.

Leicestershire have become the first county side to formally declare an interest in the 2005 Ashes hero. "We haven't spoken to him yet but we do want to talk to him," said Foxes chief executive David Smith.

"He is a player I have asked our head coach Tim Boon to try and speak to. Tim worked as (former England coach) Duncan Fletcher's assistant for several years and he knows Matthew quite well.

"We would like to speak to him about his intentions on continuing to play first-class cricket."

He added: "It has only come about since Monday and we're hoping to speak to him at some point in the next day or two.

"We'll take it from there, but he is a player of the calibre we are interested in."