LEEDS, July 6: England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard is a serious doubt for the Test series against the West Indies. The bustling 27-year-old bowled just three balls before injuring his right knee in Yorkshire's match against Middlesex on Sunday.

The right-arm paceman limped off and should receive the results of a scan on Monday, which could rule him out of the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's on July 22.

Yorkshire physio Scott McAllister told the Yorkshire Post: "We don't want to jump to any conclusions as to how serious or otherwise the injury may be, but there is a fear that he may have damaged his cartilage.

"Until we receive the results of the scan, however, there is no point speculating as to the extent of the problem. "We've informed England of the situation and will be updating them as soon as there is news.

Matthew has some swelling on the knee and we are crossing our fingers that his condition improves. "There was no real change when I looked at him yesterday and the scan will reveal exactly what's wrong. "It is inappropriate at this stage to comment on whether he will be out for any length of time." -AFP