REKINDLE THE SPIRIT OF 2005

Hoggard urges England to put India to the sword

- By Mike Walters

ASHES legend Matthew Hoggard now runs a barbecue school - and, after landing the holy grill in 2005, he says England must cook up a storm this week.

Going to The Oval 2-1 up in a gripping marquee series? Hoggard has been there and done that 20 years ago as Michael Vaughan’s heroes recaptured the urn in a seismic summer when cricket was the only show in town.

Now England are in the same boat after a tetchy, thrilling win at Lord’s and a sour finish to the stalemate at Old Trafford.

And Hoggard, below with Freddie Flintoff, was thrilled the class of 2005 was namechecked by Joe Root as one of his inspirations growing up after Yorkshire's batting royalty unfurled his 38th Test century at the weekend.