Yorkshire's young fast bowler Matthew Hoggard has created such a good impression with South African side Free State this winter that he has been invited back as their overseas professional next season.

Free State's pace maestro Allan Donald and club coach Andy Moles, the former Warwickshire opening batsman, are delighted with they way in which Hoggard has been knocking over the wickets for them.

The 22-year-old has collected 17 wickets in four first class matches for Free State at an average cost of around 18 runs apiece and he has also proved a menace in one-day matches.

Hoggard was given a trial with Free State this winter after the South Africans were hugely impressed when he bowled at them in the nets at Headingley last summer.

Hoggard will join up with his Yorkshire team-mates on their pre-season tour of South Africa on March 20, immediately after playing for Free State in a quarter-final cup match.

Meanwhile, batsman Anthony McGrath has returned home early from his engagement with Melbourne club side Deep Dene in order to have tests on an injury to his right knee. He is hoping to be fit in time to tour South Africa.

Fast bowler Paul Hutchison, who had to cut short his tour of Zimbabwe with England 'A' because of back problems, sees a specialist again this week and is likely to discover whether he can resume bowling again in four to six weeks or if he faces a longer lay-off.

And Michael Vaughan, currently captaining the England 'A' side in South Africa will return home at the end of the tour in a few days' time for treatment on a cyst on his knee. Originally, Vaughan planned to stay in South Africa until Yorkshire arrived but now he will travel out with them.

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