Hoggard back in the fold

Matthew Hoggard claimed six Sri Lanka wickets in the first Test in Kandy © Getty Images

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England have named Matthew Hoggard in a 12-man squad for the final Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

The Yorkshire swing bowler missed the drawn match at Colombo last week with a back injury but returns to the fold in place of Stuart Broad.

Uncapped off-spinner Graeme Swann is also among the dozen names, with England to decide on the make-up of the team depending on conditions at the ground ahead of the scheduled 10am start.

Unseasonal rain has left the pitch damp, and perhaps susceptible to seam movement, but this ground traditionally encourages spin.

Hoggard claimed six wickets in the 88-run defeat in Kandy at the start of the Investec campaign and is arguably England’s best bowler on the sub-continent.

In 13 Tests in Asia, he has 49 wickets at an average of less than 27.

Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom, who each claimed three wickets in Colombo, are the other fast bowlers included.

Michael Vaughan’s team must win the historic first Test to be played in Galle since the December 2004 tsunami to maintain their position as the second-placed side in the Test rankings.

If Sri Lanka triumph, they will replace England as the nearest challengers to world number ones Australia.