YORKSHIRE fast bowler Matthew Hoggard faces the prospect of a Test debut at Lord's on Thursday before even being awarded his county cap.

Hoggard's Yorkshire colleagues Darren Gough and Craig White were also named in the original England Test squad of 14 to face West Indies and Michael Vaughan came in later on when it was revealed that skipper Nasser Hussain was dropping out with a broken finger.

It turned into a dramatic incident-packed day for White because soon after the Test party had been announced, he and Chris Silverwood were sensationally omitted from Yorkshire Phoenix's side for the clash with Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Headingley.

The official explanation was that the pair were being "rested" but with both players in urgent need of cricket after long lay-offs with injuries their absences could only be interpreted as a disciplinary measure.

Yorkshire director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, said: "The pair have been rested by the captain, David Byas. It is a selection decision and he is entitled to pick who he wants."

It also seems improbable that Yorkshire would drop a Test squad player without first notifying England cricket chairman David Graveney.

Yorkshire travelled to Bristol on Friday for their game against Gloucestershire the following day and both White and Silverwood were included in that match.

The dramatic events surrounding the axed Yorkshire pair, could not entirely remove the spotlight from 23-year-old Hoggard who has developed rapidly since making his first class debut for Yorkshire in July, 1996.

Hoggard, who is getting stronger and faster all the time, has so far taken 92 first class wickets for Yorkshire and 115 when including the 23 he has captured in two winters for Free State in South Africa. His Championship haul for Yorkshire so far this season is 16 wickets at 27.12 runs apiece and he took four for 58 in the match against Zimbabwe.

"I am taken aback but also delighted to have made the Test squad for Lord'," said Hoggard. "Everybody strives to play for England and I am glad my opportunity has arrived.

"I am not a person who is content to settle for second best and playing for Yorkshire was not my only ambition for this season but getting the England call has come sooner than I expected.

"I had hoped to do enough this summer to be selected for the England tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the winter."

Hoggard said that playing on flat pitches for two winters in South Africa had taught him to bowl length and line.

"It also helped me to control the ball and perform better over here."

It was while Hoggard was taking part in a bowling net with the South Africans at Headingley two years' ago that his ability was noticed by captain Hansie Cronje and fast bowler Allan Donald and this resulted in his engagement with Free State.

"Working with the best fast bowler in the world and having chats with him over a Castle lager certainly proved invaluable to me," said Hoggard.

"If I am picked for England all I can do is my best but it is a great help having three Yorkshire team-mates also in the squad.

"All that Goughie said to me when the squad was announced was 'I told you so'."

White, who has only played in three one-day matches for Yorkshire after a five week lay-off for illness and injury, said: "I am very pleased to be back but am still a bit short of first class cricket and would have preferred to have had at least one Championship match under my belt.

"I will not be unduly worried about my fitness if I am included in the team and I feel I can get through 15 overs a day without any problem. It is nice to know that I am still a part of the England set-up."

Vaughan had looked set for another frustrating wait until England felt he had got in sufficient match practice after returning from a broken hand, but Hussain's injury has speeded his return.