MATTHEW HOGGARD hilariously had to deny he called Tony Blair a “k***head” during the wild 2005 Ashes celebrations.
Friday marks the 20th anniversary of England finally regaining the urn after 18 long, painful years with that all-important draw at The Oval on September 12, 2005 to cap off a memorable series on home soil.
GettyMatthew Hoggard relished the celebrations when England won the 2005 Ashes[/caption]
GettyEngland had to wait 18 years to get their hands back on the famous urn[/caption]
AFPThe Yorkshireman had to deny he called then-Prime Minister Tony Blair a ‘k***head’[/caption]
England toasted the victory with an open-top bus parade through London.
A trip to see Prime Minister Blair followed, where one player “decided the rhododendrons needed watering”, before a visit to the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Hoggard, 48, told SunSport: “We celebrated quite hard. It was front pages, back pages, middle pages of all the newspapers. We let our hair down.
“It was leaving 10 Downing Street that I came into my own.
“There was a bank of photographers. Michael Vaughan put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘I wonder what they want?’
“Being a p***ed Yorkshireman, I told him, ‘They want a photo, you k***head.’ Everybody thought I called the Prime Minister a k***head.”
Hoggard bowled 2,318 overs and took 248 wickets in 67 Test matches for England.
But his son gives him stick that the only thing he is remembered for was one shot with his bat.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Hoggard was a key figure in that 2005 Ashes, claiming 16 victims with the ball in hand.
But arguably his most important contribution was a four off Brett Lee in the Fourth Test at Trent Bridge that helped England chase down 129 and move 2-1 up.
Hoggard reminisced: “We needed 12 when I went out to bat and I was absolutely dropping my chopper.
“Very scared, very nervous. But this is why you play cricket, for moments like this.
“My son rips the mickey out of me because he says, ‘How many years did you play cricket for England?’ I say, ‘Nine.’
“He says, ‘And you’re a bowler, what does everybody remember you for?’
“I say, ‘One shot.’
“It wasn’t even a cover drive, it was a full toss I hit through the covers. Everybody remembers that shot. But it’s nice to be remembered.
“It was just such a relief to score that 12.
“As we walked off, Ashley Giles said, ‘Tonight we’re kings.’ It did feel like that.”
GettyHoggard’s crucial four late on in the Fourth Test is what the bowler is remembered for most[/caption]
Channel 4He hit away to the boundary off a Brett Lee full toss[/caption]
GettyAshley Giles and Hoggard saw England to victory at Trent Bridge[/caption]
Hoggard played in the 2002-03 and 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia, losing by an aggregate score of 9-1.
But it was not just the Aussie slip cordon that gave him a hostile reception.
The Yorkshire hero – who now runs his own BBQ cooking school, Hoggy’s Grill – continued: “Australia is a very tough place to go.
“In Perth, we went into a coffee shop in our training kit.
“We heard a voice, ‘I’d be embarrassed to wear that, mate. You’re a disgrace, you’re rubbish. We’re going to wipe the floor, it’s going to be 5-0.’
“We turned round and there was a 90-year-old bloke sat at the back of the cafe giving us a whole host of grief.
“Then when you field in front of Bay 13 at the MCG… I didn’t know my dad, I didn’t know my mum was so promiscuous, I didn’t know my sisters liked it how they did!
“But I got told exactly what and how. This is just personal abuse, it’s not fun.
Hoggy’s new career running BBQ cooking school
Exclusive by Joshua Jones
MATTHEW HOGGARD made his name in the smoking hot rivalry with Australia – now he’s cooking up a storm with his very own BBQ school.
But after retiring in 2013 after a stint as Leicestershire captain, Hoggard has stayed in the area – and launched his new career.
He dabbled in insurance and foreign currency before wife Sarah told him to do something he was passionate about.
His response? Eating and drinking.
The former Celebrity Masterchef contestant launched his very own BBQ cookery school just before lockdown hit at the start of 2020 – but it is now thriving with grilling masterclasses and one-to-one sessions with the cricketer-turned-chef.
SunSport headed to the shores of Rutland Water to visit Hoggy’s Grill, where we rustled up some delicious grub – a spatchcock chicken, lemon and lime prawns and handmade burgers – before gobbling it down and discussing his venture.
READ ABOUT SUNSPORT’S COOKING MASTERCLASS WITH HOGGARD AT HOGGY’S GRILL HERE
GettyHoggard admitted he was rather tipsy for the open-top bus parade through London[/caption]
GettyThe squad were invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen[/caption]
GettyHoggard took 16 wickets in the series[/caption]
GettyA draw at The Oval on September 12, 2005 secured the series victory[/caption]
“They’re not the most articulate in giving abuse out, but they’re all passionate about seeing Australia win.
“But if you challenge them, put in a good performance, they acknowledge that. They like to see good, hard sport played.”
Brendon McCullum’s side will be ready for the intense sledging Down Under this winter.
And in Ben Stokes, Hoggard believes England have the best leader to give them a chance of a first away win in Australia since 2010-11.
He explained: “Ben Stokes, what a captain.
“He’s choosing to bowl first then they’re winning. That isn’t how cricket works, that’s not the winning formula and yet he keeps on pulling it out of the bag.
“They’re in an entertainment business and they’ve got no fear. It’s a joy to watch.
“I don’t know how joyous I would be in a changing room, having to bowl first all the time, but he’s made it work. Taking that to Australia this winter, good luck with that!”
To find out more about Hoggy’s Grill or sign up for a masterclass, head to www.hoggysgrill.com
GettyHoggard believes Ben Stokes is the perfect leader for an away Ashes[/caption]
The ex-cricketer helped SunSport rustle up some prawns with a mango and pomegranate salad
SunSportHoggard now runs his own BBQ cooking school, Hoggy’s Grill[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
