Dogged Hoggard does his bit

Matthew Hoggard traps Shane Warne leg before to collect his sixth wicket © Getty Images

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Modest England hero Matthew Hoggard paid tribute to his team-mates after his seven-wicket haul in the second Test against Australia at Adelaide.

Andrew Flintoff`s team finished day four on 59 for one, a lead of 97, after bowling Australia out for 513.

Hoggard said: “We bowled well as as a unit and I got the rewards for a good team effort.

“It was hard out there on a flat wicket but the body is remarkably fresh. Maybe tomorrow it will different. But we finished strongly.”

Asked about his figures of 7-109, he said: “Every dog has its day and thankfully it was my couple of days. I hope I’ve showed I’m not just a bowler when it swings.

“It has been an interesting series but it was the same in 2005 and I expect some exciting cricket tomorrow.”

There were several exchanges between players in the middle and Hoggard admitted it was “spicy”.

He told Sky Sports: “That’s natural. Australia are hurting - they lost the Ashes and have upped the intensity. To beat them we have to up our intensity. Yes, it was fairly spicy out there.”

Michael Clarke drives regally en route to a superb century for Australia © Getty Images

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Michael Clarke, meanwhile, warned England that Australia still believe they can win the Test.

Despite only three sessions remaining, Clarke, who made a superb 124, does not agree that the match will necessarily end in a draw.

He said: “We certainly think we can win. Tomorrow will be a crucial morning and we are fired up and looking for quick wickets.

“It’s starting to spin and that's good news for Warney [Shane Warne].”

Clarke added: “I was very pleased. It's been a long wait for my third hundred and I'm proud it came against such a good team.

“We were under a little pressure early on but Adam Gilchrist played fantastic. We got a great score on the board.

“Adam has been working really hard in the nets and he looked in great nick. It holds him in good stead for the rest of the series.

“I think my opportunities are going to be limited so I had to make the most of them. I would have liked to have gone on but I've put a case forward to the selectors.”