Take it from me, it won't be too long before England are sitting up and taking notice of Matthew Hoggard if he continues to bowl for Yorkshire as he has done in the first few weeks of the season.

I've always believed that of Yorkshire's pack of young and hungry fast bowlers, Hoggard had it in him to make the biggest impact - and nothing I have seen so far has made me change my mind.

Hoggard has, of course, been developing rapidly over the past couple of years and now enough top players are starting to talk about him for even Lord's to realise that he's a touch exceptional.

The latest tribute came from former England captain Alec Stewart who managed to survive Hoggard's new-ball blast which brought him four wickets against Surrey in the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.

Stewart, who took the man-of-the-match gold award for his superb 97 not out which helped to destroy Yorkshire's chances of making it into the semi-finals, said of Hoggard: "I though his first six overs were brilliant and he was really impressive throughout.

"It was outstanding bowling in helpful conditions."

Praise indeed from an expert witness - and one who would have become Hoggard's fifth victim if David Byas had been able to hold on at second slip to a thick edge which just brushed the captain's outstretched finger tips.

Another top player who likes what he sees in Hoggard is South African pace ace Allan Donald who has had quite a lot to do with the 23-year-old's development.

Hoggard has spent the last two winters playing as overseas professional with Free State in South Africa which is Donald's club and the great man has coached and helped him along.

No wonder Hoggard places Donald among the three cricketers he has most admired - the other two being Viv Richards and Ian Botham.

A knee injury towards the middle of last season brought a premature end to Hoggard's summer when he was leading the way for Yorkshire with 28 championship dismissals at just over 22 runs apiece.

He went off to South Africa after undergoing an operation and now he is back to full fitness.

He could hardly have started this season better than three wickets in the first half hour of the opening Championship match against Derbyshire, career-best coloured clothing figures of three for 20 against Worcestershire Royals last Sunday followed by his top B&H haul of four for 39.

Hoggard's career is certainly on the up and if his progress continues at its present rate then Yorkshire may have to hurry if they are to give him his cap before England do.