Ex-Test star Hoggard slams 'bizarre' England team selection for winter Ashes

Former England cricketer Matthew Hoggard has slammed England's squad selection for the winter Ashes, saying that he finds its 'bizarre' that the side has three similar bowlers competing for one place.

The battle for the fast-bowling places in the first Test, which starts on November 21, continues over the coming four days in Hobart as England take on Australia A, and tall bowlers Steve Finn, Chris Tremlett and Boyd Rankin are seemingly vying for one place alongside James Anderson and Stuart Broad

According to the Daily Express, the former Leicestershire captain said he believes that England has blundered over the make-up of the pace attack and are putting a huge burden on the shoulders of Anderson, adding that it is bizarre that three bowlers are competing for a single place instead of Graham Onions, who is not in the squad.

Hoggard also said that if something happens to Anderson, then the team would have only four tall, hit-the-deck quick bowlers, including Stuart Broad, to choose from, instead of a player who pitches the ball up and makes it swing.

Hoggard further said that the selectors should not have overlooked Onions, especially after his performances for county side Durham and his different style of bowling, adding that Onions has the nagging length and always hits the stumps, while the tall bowlers are missing the stumps with the bounce they generate, particularly in Australia.