Hoggard believes in England

Seamer Matthew Hoggard is playing for the MCC versus Sussex at Lord's © Getty Images

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Matthew Hoggard is confident England can turn their World Cup fortunes around, just as they did during the one-day series in Australia and mount a serious challenge for the trophy.

He has been keeping up to date with their campaign by watching the highlights on television.

Hoggard said: "I have been watching the highlights on television - it is a much more interesting game when you can do that!

“There have not been too many highlights in the England games but as Andrew Strauss says they are only four games away from winning the World Cup.

“And as we saw in Australia they are more than capable of pulling off some fantastic games. Hopefully they can match that in the West Indies.

"Four games - anybody can win and if England produce the goods they have a chance of winning the World Cup."

Batsman Nick Compton of MCC is caught from the bowling of Sussex seamer James Kirtley on Friday © Getty Images

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While England prepare for Tuesday's clash with South Africa, Hoggard was at Lord's to play for the MCC against county champions Sussex in the traditional season-opener.

The 30-year-old’s sights are set on returning to Lord's on May 17 for the first Test of the summer against the West Indies.

“I need to get some overs under my belt. The more I bowl the better I get," he said.

“I have this game for the MCC, three LC County Championship games and three one-dayers. I have got quite a bit of cricket and I am looking forward to helping Yorkshire get off to a good start.”

Hoggard is also ambassador for A Chance to Shine, the charity working to give state-school children the opportunity to play cricket.

Last year A Chance to Shine introduced cricket to 50,000 children - boys and girls - and expect that number to double this summer in 1200 schools nationwide.

A Chance to Shine has raised £11million of its £25million target over the last two years.

Hoggard said: "It is one of my great passions. If you want England to do well it has to grow from the grass-roots level.

"In cities like Birmingham and London there are not too many clubs so you have to get cricket into state schools and that is where Chance to Shine has been fantastic.

"If you go into a school and ask them if they want to play cricket or go to a lesson, they will play cricket.

"They will get to love the game, get to know how much fun it is and hopefully progress to become another England player."