Strike bowler Matthew Hoggard today flew out to India with England's one-day squad after having committed his long-term future to his native Yorkshire.

Hoggard, who was 25 on New Year's Eve, has at his own request signed an extension to his Yorkshire contract, along with Michael Vaughan and Matthew Wood.

Although Yorkshire refuse to reveal precise details of individual contracts, the trio are believed to have tied themselves to the club for the next five years.

Hoggard's fast bowling colleague, Chris Silverwood, has also extended his contract which is now thought to have four years to run.

Yorkshire cricket chairman Bob Platt said he was delighted that four of the club's top players had all requested longer contracts.

"They asked me if it could be done and I had no hesitation in extending them," said Platt.

"It shows they want to stay with the Championship-winning side and are keen to help them retain the title as well as trying to bring further successes to the club.

"After a spell at his Baildon home over the Christmas break, Hoggard is now back on his way to India and hoping to be as effective in the one-day matches as in the recent Test series when he emerged as England's leading wicket-taker with nine dismissals.

If Hoggard continues to impress, he can expect to be in the thick of an exhausting spell of cricket for England right up to the 2003 World Cup - as can all of Yorkshire's other international stars.

Vaughan and Darren Gough are also on the plane to India with Hoggard and when the squad move on to New Zealand on February 4 for the one-day series they will be joined by Craig White who is now recovering from the knee operation which caused him to miss returning to India.

Gough will then fly home from New Zealand before the Test series begins but Yorkshire's representation will remain the same because off-spinner Richard Dawson will team up with the Test squad.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire's new captain Darren Lehmann led from the front when he skippered Australia 'A' to victory in their one-day game against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Lehmann top-scored with 50 off 49 balls with one four and one six as Australia made 282 for five and then he claimed one for 27 in eight overs with his left-arm spin as the Tourists were dismissed for 222.

Updated: 08:54 Thursday, January 10, 2002