I'm not disputing the fact that Hoggard's ODI record to date is unflattering; but my point always has been that as a bowler, he is on par with McGrath & Pollock. Those two are just a s valuable for their respective countries but the selectors have not shirked from using their skills for both Tests & ODIs....as we can see with great success. So why overprotect Hoggard from imagined injuries and leave him out of ODIs? Hoggard is a confidence player and having been regulalrly sidelined for ODIs, probably himself believes now that he is not suitable for limited overs cricket. The situation has been further distorted by the fact that Englnad play far less ODIs than other top nations.

It might be too late to establish Hoggard as a regular ODI bowler, but if a replacement for Anderson is required at this late stage, Hoggard is the natural choice. As I said, he might surprise a few people, including himself .