Cricket: Historic day for 'Shrek'

His team-mates call him Shrek on account of his lumbering gait and his likeness to the ham-fisted giant in the latest animated movie.

But there was not the slightest thing clumsy about England opening bowler Matthew Hoggard yesterday as he sacked New Zealand's batting line-up on the second day of the opening test, taking career-best figures of seven for 63.

In just his sixth test, the 25-year-old Yorkshire right-armer achieved the best return for a pace bowler in the history of New Zealand-England tests, overtaking Fred Trueman's seven for 75 in 1962-63 and Richard Hadlee's six for 53 in 1983.

It was the fifth-best innings analysis in tests between the two countries and comfortably supassed Hoggard's previous best of four for 80, against India at Bangalore in December.

While the big, bustling paceman troubled all the batsmen with the lateness of his swing, it was his stamina that made the biggest impact, particularly given the spongy, energy-sapping run-ups.

Hoggard churned through 17 consecutive overs before his skipper, Nasser Hussain, insisted he rest, but soon returned to snuff out New Zealand's attempted counterattack with the final two wickets of the innings.

"I was feeling surprisingly okay," he said of his marathon spell.

"The body was beginning to feel it a bit I guess.

"But when you're bowling well, the pitch is helpful and the ball is swinging, it's surprising how long you can keep going."

Egged on by a delighted Barmy Army support crew, the strapping seamer was temporarily held at bay by a stubborn knock by nightwatchman Daniel Vettori, before running through the New Zealand order with his trademark outswinger.

As for his ape-like impressions while fielding at deep fine-leg, Hoggard said that was merely an attempt to humour the boisterous and rowdy England supporters.

"They seem to think that I'm a monkey," he said.

"So I was just playing them at their own game."