Leicestershire table Hoggard contract

Matthew Hoggard has not added to his 67 caps since he was dropped after the first Test of the New Zealand tour in 2008

Leicestershire have offered the unattached former England bowler Matthew Hoggard a three-year contract.

The 32-year-old seamer is seeking a new county after he was released by Yorkshire last week, and Leicestershire have moved quickly with their senior coach Tim Boon and chief executive David Smith meeting Hoggard yesterday.

Other counties, including newly-promoted Kent, are apparently also keen on the veteran of 67 Tests, while Leicestershire struggled in the lower reaches of LV= County Championship Division Two, landing the wooden spoon for the first time since 1962.

But the county gained several plaudits for their decision to play a minimum of eight England-qualified players in their side this year, and Smith believes Grace Road can provide an attractive option for Hoggard.

“We are in the ball-park financially,” said Smith. “Matthew likes what we are doing here and he knows Tim well.

“I came away from the meeting feeling that we are in with a shout.

“He hasn't played much one-day cricket recently but he will play that with us.

“I think he needs a new challenge. I think we would say we were hopeful.”

Hoggard spent 15 seasons at Headingley Carnegie before he was told last week his contract would not be renewed.

He was Yorkshire’s top wicket-taker in the championship this year with 46 scalps, and his hat-trick in the penultimate game against Sussex contributed significantly to the club's survival in Division One.

During his time with Yorkshire he took 248 Test wickets for England, and played a key role in the 2005 Ashes victory.