Hoggard joins distinguished company

LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) Matthew Hoggard joined a distinguished gallery of England bowlers today by taking his 200th test wicket on the third day of the first test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

Hoggard became the 10th Englishman to reach the landmark when he caught and bowled Farveez Maharoof from a perfectly pitched out-swinger.

He then dismissed Chaminda Vaas to finish with four for 27 in Sri Lanka's first innings 192 in reply to England's 551 for six declared.

After Sri Lanka had been asked to follow on Hoggard struck early, bowling Jehan Mubarak for six with a ball which moved in late to the left-hander.

Sri Lanka, who had crumbled against some fierce pace bowling from Hoggard and Sajid Mahmood on Friday evening, at last showed some application when Kumar Sangakkara joined Upul Tharanga.

The two left-handers were troubled by Hoggard's late movement and Andrew Flintoff's raw aggression but played with sensible restraint and some delightful cover drives to take their side to at tea 93 for one at tea. Tharanga was on 41 while Sangakkara had scored 30.

After two sunlit days chasing the ball in the field, the Sri Lankans were confronted with a dull, overcast morning, perfect for Hoggard's swing, when they resumed at 91 for six.

After switching from the Pavilion to the Nursery End, Hoggard picked up his 200nd victim when Farveez Mahmood (22) was squared up by a full-pitched swinging delivery. Mahmood popped the ball up on the off for Hoggard to take a tumbling two-handed return catch.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene's innings ended after 168 minutes' patient application when he was caught behind off Flintoff for 61, clearing the way for a breezy 61-run partnership from Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Kulasekara.

Vaas survived dropped slip chances at nine and 13 from Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss respectively to reach 31 before edging Hoggard into the safe hands of Marcus Trescothick at first slip.

Kulasekara followed for 29 caught by Strauss off Flintoff shortly before lunch to end the Sri Lanka innings.

Reuters DH RN2041