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Hoggard has a mammoth task ahead of him but I'm backing England

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Andrew Hughes looks forward to his next fix of cricket and in the meanwhile tells us why Hoggard can do the seemingly impossible and draw the Series

As the Second Test sighed to its inevitable end in the Colombo rain, England lost the chance to emulate Nasser Hussain's famous series win in 2000/01. But if they can pull off a series-levelling win in Galle next week, it would be a result of huge significance. Sri Lanka is just about the second hardest tour on the circuit, after Australia and it should be remembered that England are doing it with a patched up team, or more specifically, a patched up bowling attack.

On the other hand, failure to win in Galle will mean a second consecutive lost series for new coach Peter Moores. Luckily for England backers, there are tantalising hints that durable old Matthew Hoggard might be ready for the fray. As England's one bowler of proven pedigree, his presence on the field in Galle could actually allow England to pull off a shock win and draw the Series.

I was also encouraged by the way they stuck at their task on the Colombo featherbed. 1-0 down in the series and toiling in the Sri Lankan heat is the point at which many bowling attacks start to wilt. But Sidebottom, Broad, Harmison and Panesar kept on wheeling away with determination, with Harmison's yeoman-like toil being particularly refreshing, including not a single no ball or wide.

In fact England's commitment and attitude throughout both Tests has been admirable. They have fought hard and offered stout resistance, for which Michael Vaughan must take a large slice of the credit. The best Test captain around, he has exuded calm authority and determination in the field, keeping a makeshift bowling attack together and not exposing the raw Bopara to too much punishment. On top of that, his classy and assured batting at the top of the order set the tone in both innings in Colombo, steadying nerves and showing the way to the rest of the batsmen, notably Alistair Cook who is clearly benefiting from opening with his captain.

Similarly exemplifying the bulldog spirit is Matt Prior. His brilliant left-handed catch in the last session of the second day was the high point in another faultless display of glove work and on top of that, he has contributed two contrasting innings of equal value; a swashbuckling 79 to boost England's first innings total in Colombo and a gritty 63 in Kandy that was almost enough to save the game. A real surprise package after his technique got a critical mauling in some quarters last summer, he is giving the middle order some backbone and his mini-partnerships with Ryan Sidebottom are a pleasant little bonus.

It isn't all positives, of course. Though Vaughan has led the way and both Bell and belatedly Pietersen and Cook have shown signs of playing themselves into form, none of the batsmen have put together a century. This failure to convert good starts has meant that they have struggled to put real 2nd innings pressure on the Sri Lankans, who by contrast have notched up three tons. Consequently, since the mid-way point of the First Test, England have been on the back foot.

And though the bowling has not lacked effort, without Hoggard there is a distinct lack of penetration. Most disappointing of all has been the performance of Monty Panesar. He has struggled for rhythm all tour, has not got his usual flight working and doesn't seem to be turning the ball a great deal. England needed a fully firing Monty to compete in Sri Lanka and so far he has failed to convince, either as an attacking or a containing force. At Colombo, he was even out bowled by Kevin Pietersen's fizzing off breaks. He has one more chance in Galle to show what he can do and finish the series as a hero.

The Third Test will be an emotional occasion, this being the first match to be played on the ground since the devastating tsunami of 2004. Galle used to be a real turner but no one can be really sure how the new track will play and that uncertainty at least keeps things interesting. I will be backing England to win the Third Test at [4.5] or better if I can get it and clinch a well-deserved series draw.

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