Jeff Thomson knows a thing or two about quick bowling. And last summer the other half of Australia's most famous fast firm reckoned he had spotted a young man with a future.

The one-time partner of DK Lillee liked what he saw when Yorkshire's Matthew Hoggard troubled Zimbabwe's batsmen at Headingley.

Pacy with a good line was Hoggard, the Glenn McGrath success formula, and on the same patch of turf that bore the studs of Fred Trueman.

It was in the match following Zimbabwe's Test debut at Lord's and Thomson, then coaching Zimbabwe, was somewhat puzzled as to why the Pudsey paceman was not in the England side.

That distinction was only a matter of weeks away; the England selectors moved into tune with Tommo. After losing by an innings in the opening Test at Edgaston, it was time for an injection of new blood.

On June 29, 2000, Hoggard, with military haircut, was enlisted for his debut against West Indies for the 100th Test at Lord's after fewer than 30 first class appearances.

Though no wicket came in the 13 overs Hoggard bowled in the first innings, he acquitted himself well. Running in from the Pavilion end, the Lord's slope was no apparent problem. Hoggard was consistently keeping the ball on off-stump and swinging up the hill.

In the second innings he had no chance as Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Dominic Cork swept away West Indies for 54.

All Hoggard could do was watch and admire from the boundary while the men with the experience and reputations bowled their country towards a rapturous victory.

Watch, too, did Hoggard with nerves in overdrive. He sat for 44 minutes on the dressing room balcony clad in pads, helmet and elbow guard waiting to bat.

Next in, his task was to try and hit England home, but Cork and his pal Gough thankfully finished off the thriller.

His next appearance came nearly a year later - against Pakistan at Old Trafford - and some relief that the 'one Test wonder' club could no longer offer him membership.

Being one of the elite squad of the 12 contracted England players for the summer of 2001, it seemed pretty unlikely that Hoggard, 24, would not add to his one cap.

Now the latest in a long line of Yorkshire fast bowlers is ready to enhance his education in the Ashes series against the undisputed world champions Australia.

A couple of big knockouts would certainly move Hoggy a few steps further along that cliched 'learning curve'.

Said Steve Oldham, Yorkshire's cricket development manager: "Hoggy is a talented lad and if he ends up playing regularly for England it will not change him as a person."