England free up Hoggard and Harmison for county duty

Discarded England bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison have been given the go-ahead to press their claims for a recall in county cricket.

The seamers, dropped by England after their first Test defeat in Hamilton, can play for Yorkshire and Durham respectively from the start of the season.

Captain Michael Vaughan, who scored only one half century during the Test series against New Zealand, has also made himself available for Yorkshire to try to find some form.

Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell and Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose are others available from the beginning of the campaign.

Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad do not report for duty to their counties until a week later, while Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood do not return to action until the start of May