Hoggard ready for the great outdoors

Matthew Hoggard removes Marcus North in the 2008 Friends Provident Trophy

Matthew Hoggard is ready to run in on the grass of the United Arab Emirates after developing cabin fever in the indoor school at Headingley Carnegie.

The former England seamer is keen to get outside where he can swing the ball - and he will get his chance when Yorkshire defend the Pro ARCH Trophy title in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

The tournament starts tomorrow when Essex meet a Fly Emirates XI in Sharjah, while Yorkshire’s campaign begins against Surrey in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Middlesex, Lancashire, Sussex and the UAE national team are also playing in what is a round-robin competition with play-off matches to decide final standings.

“It's been a long slog,” Hoggard admitted. “I've seen enough green matting now to last me for the rest of the season.

“We want to get out and play some competitive cricket. You can only spend so much time indoors before you get a little bit stale. It doesn't really emulate the conditions you get outside.

"Everyone is looking forward to getting off their full run-ups. I am going to have to remember how many yards it is – whether it is 19 or 23.”

Yorkshire have been unable to get outside, even in the recent clement weather, with the Headingley outfield resembling a motorbike track rather than a cricket pitch.

“You look out of the window at Headingley and you look for the green grass and you can't find any because that's been dug up,” Hoggard said.

“We are looking for a home venue,” he joked. “Can we come back to the UAE to play our home matches at the start of the season, because I don't think the pitch is going to be ready?”

Yorkshire won the inaugural Pro ARCH Trophy last year, and Hoggard is determined that Anthony McGrath’s side will once again be pushing for the honours.

“We've got 25 players over here, so we are going to have to use our rotation system,” he confirmed. “We've got a lot of young and exciting cricketers to blend in with the old codgers like me.

“We are still just a set of lads wanting to do the best we can do. We are looking forward to it, and hopefully we can defend our title.”

Jon Batty (right) believes Surrey are better served getting proper cricket under their belts

One of the Yorkshire players who missed out on the trip last year is Michael Vaughan, who has not played international cricket since giving up the captaincy last August.

“A lot of people will be focusing on Michael, so hopefully he can perform as well,” Hoggard said. “He has been batting well in the nets.

“I've had the honour of bowling at him every sodding day of the week this year so I'm quite happy to let somebody else bowl at him. It is going to be a big year for him.”

Hoggard's own England aspirations have not been diminished either, despite not figuring for England since the first Test in New Zealand last winter.

“I've just got to carry on taking wickets and do my best for Yorkshire,” said Hoggard.

“I'm a proud Yorkshire lad – it is like playing for another country. I am proud to wear the white rose and hopefully I can do myself and Yorkshire proud by going out and taking a lot of wickets.”

Surrey wicketkeeper Jon Batty is another determined to make the most of their opportunity for some warm-weather practice.

“I always think it is better to get outside and play some cricket early, than to stay in the indoor school,” Batty said.

“They are different conditions than you experience in April in England, but that is something you have to adjust to and take on the chin. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.”

One of those pros Batty mentions is the standard of the opposition, with all teams taking part well matched.

“You know you are going to get good practice, and you know the guys are going to want to win,” Batty added.

“Sometimes when you go overseas you end up playing against yourselves, or teams that are a bit of an unknown quantity.

“But at least we are going to get good quality practice in good facilities and know we are going to come back better prepared than if we had stayed in the indoor school.”