Miller: 'We were right to drop Hoggard and Harmison'

Date released: 11 April 2008

England's new selector, Geoff Miller, says the decision to drop bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison was borne out as correct by the results achieved.

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Harmison in MCC colours in 2007 Speaking exclusively to the lords.org commentary team at the opening match of the English cricket season (MCC v Champion County) at Lord's, Miller backed his and his fellow selectors' decision to drop the experienced duo.

From 1-0 down in the Test Series in New Zealand, England went on to win the Series 2-1 with James Anderson and Stuart Broad filling in for Hoggard and Harmison in the second and third Tests.

"The results proved we were right to drop Hoggard and Harmison." Miller told lords.org's Bobby Bridgeman.

Hoggard was recovering from injury at the start of 2007 But he was keen to stress that the door is open for both bowlers to return to the England team:

"Harmison knows if he performs as he can do, not many batsmen want to face that.

"And we know what Matthew [Hoggard] can do - it's not the end of the road for him."

Bridgeman went on to question Miller about his new role as a selector; how he goes about it and of course 'The Flintoff question'.

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Coincidentally both Hoggard and Harmison played in this, traditional season-opening fixture in 2007 when both were looking to sharpen up for that summer's Test matches.

Be sure to listen to today's commentary live and exclusive from Lord's to catch more great cricket chat and interviews.