TEST CRICKET: Mathew Hoggard ended a long year as understudy to play the leading role for England with a career-best performance to put them on course for victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

The Yorkshire fast bowler has done his apprenticeship at international level, trailing around Pakistan and Sri Lanka last winter watching Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick get the starring roles in the Tests while he was given a rare outing during warm-up games.

Yesterday, though, he finally landed a major part on a pitch conducive to swing and seam bowling and responded with a master-class display, claiming career-best figures of seven for 63 to earn England a priceless 81-run lead.

"It's nice to find a place where the ball swings and the pitch is a little bit helpful," he admitted.