England 2005 Ashes hero warns Ben Stokes and co over final India Test match
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 as Ben Stokes fed two Indian batters joke bowling to bring up their centuries when they refused to shake hands on the draw earlier. And Hoggard 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.
Hoggy, who took 248 wickets in 67 Tests, said: 'Listening to Joe being interviewed, after he had just become the second-greatest run scorer of all time in Test cricket, saying he had been inspired by the Ashes winners of 2005 was music to my ears. That's why we play cricket - to leave a legacy, and leave something behind to inspire younger generations, still gives you goosebumps.
'I think back to 2005 with 10,000 people being turned away from the final day at Old Trafford, people bunking off work or school to watch the finale at The Oval and, yes, it was the best of times.
'When I look at footage of the open-top bus parade to Trafalgar Square, and none of us look sober, in the social media age we would probably have been crucified but I genuinely can't remember anyone giving us any stick. We went round the Prime Minister's house a bit worse for wear, went to Trafalgar Square for the parade a bit bleary-eyed and went back to Lord's for a reception in a state of disrepair - but nobody minded because we were winners.'
Hoggard hopes Stokes' side will turn up cooking on the front burner on Thursday after a nerve-jangling climax in 2005 was only settled by Kevin Pietersen's audacious 158 on the final afternoon.
'We had gone 2-1 up at Trent Bridge in an unbearably tense finish when I was hiding under towels and trembling in the physio's room, unable to watch as the wickets fell as we chased 129 to win,' Hoggard who is now working as one of the UK's leading Motivational Speakers, told Mirror Sport.
'But when it was my turn to bat, with 13 runs still needed and Brett Lee's bowling 95mph rockets, you switch on and it gets easier - because you're the one who is empowered to take charge and get the job done.
'Lee was either trying to kill me or york me, but when he got one wrong and I managed to send it to the extra cover boundary I think Vaughany (captain Michael Vaughan) nearly fell off the balcony. I'm not sure he'd ever seen me hit an extra cover drive before.
'As Ashley Giles, who hit the winning runs, and I walked off, he said, 'Enjoy the moment, we're kings for the night.' He was right - our pace attack was called the Fab Four but it was really a fab five because Gilo was the forgotten man of that bowling unit. He was immense.
'But when we got to The Oval for the final Test, the nerves took over again. The night before I was out for dinner with my wife and I was so uptight I called for the bill and walked out. My head was all over the place, I'm afraid I was a bit of a t**t.'
England's pace attack was detained in the field 143 overs as they chased victory in vain at Old Trafford, and Hoggard warned: 'It's going to be survival of the fittest and it reminds me of 2005. You can't go to The Oval and play for a draw because you'll come unstuck if the mentality isn't right.
'In an ideal world we bat first, go big and put India under pressure to match us or go past us. England have more gears in the batting line-up than India, especially if they are going to be without Rishabh Pant.
'It's been hard graft for bowlers on both sides, but we score quicker than India and if they have to put their foot down to chase the game, that's when The Oval can be a tricky customer.'
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The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
Despite his millions & mansions, Ozzy Osbourne NEVER forgot his humble beginnings
YOU could take the man out of Birmingham, but you could never take Birmingham out of the man. Despite his millions — and his mansions in Los Angeles and Bucks — Ozzy Osbourne never forgot his humble beginnings at 14, Lodge Road, Aston. 3 3 Remember his surprise appearance with Tony Iommi at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in 2022? He told me afterwards: 'Standing on stage in Birmingham, my home town, playing live — it doesn't get better than that.' Ozzy never lost his endearing Brummie accent, even ramping it up when he recalled the days of his youth. As I sat with him in one of his vast living rooms, he told me: 'Sometimes I go back to my old street. 'I heard the guy who lives in my old house charges people 400 quid to stay the night. 'I remember sitting on the steps at Lodge Road as a child and thinking, 'Isn't this a long road?'. Now my drive is bigger than that road. 'I think, 'My God, how did we live in that house?'. There were six of us kids, and mum and dad.' Ozzy pretty much hated his time at Birchfield Road School, Aston, where Iommi was in the year above. 'I couldn't hold a ruler,' he said before breaking into one of his infectious laughs. But he told how, one day in 1963, he strolled down Lodge Road with his blue transistor radio. Tearful Sharon Osbourne reads fans' touching tributes to beloved husband Ozzy as she joins family at funeral procession 'I heard She Loves You by The Beatles. That was it, I knew what I wanted to do.' When considering Black Sabbath, Ozzy said: 'We weren't a creation of some big business mogul saying, 'I know a singer from London and a drummer from Manchester'. 'We were four local lads who lived in the same area and had a dream, and it became bigger than our wildest dreams.' When they started out, Ozzy said the music scene was 'all about 'If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair'. 'But we were living in f***ing Birmingham, something I'm not ashamed of.' Thinking of all the riches that followed, he added: 'We've all gone our separate ways and we're not four crazy kids from Birmingham any more. We have wives, kids, families, houses.' But he never lost touch with where he came from. 'Egos will kill you. I just try to be as normal as I can,' he affirmed. 'I remember when I was an ordinary bloke. 'When my mother put food on the table, we didn't go, 'Oh, we can't eat that, it's got too much gluten or fat content'. 'We just ate what we got. I never got the chance to say, 'I don't like cabbage'.' On July 5, Ozzy returned to Brum for one last show in his old stomping ground. You could see how much it meant to the city's favourite son when he told the Villa Park crowd: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 'You're all… special. Let's go crazy, come on!' 3
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Ben Stokes' absence offers a worrying glimpse into Ashes grilling... England will be hard pressed to beat Australia without talisman meets Superman, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH
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Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sharon Osbourne breaks down in tears at emotional funeral procession for Ozzy as she is joined by their children Jack, Kelly, and Aimee, his son Louis and THOUSANDS of Black Sabbath fans
Ozzy Osbourne 's grief stricken widow Sharon was supported by her children and thousands of fans today as she laid a single rose for her late husband during his poignant funeral procession through the streets of Birmingham. The Black Sabbath frontman, who died last week aged 76, was commemorated in a parade through his hometown - with his family pausing at Black Sabbath Bridge to an outpouring of love from the crowd. Sharon and Ozzy's children Jack, Kelly and Aimee laid their own floral tributes at the site - and made a peace sign as they gestured their gratitude to fans - while accompanied by Ozzy's son Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. The funeral cortege was led by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass, who performed versions of Black Sabbath songs such as Iron Man, as thousands of tearful devotees lined the streets and sang along in Ozzy's memory. Huge crowds gathered along the route hours in advance of the 1pm start, to pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness whose hits included Paranoid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. The hearse carrying the singer's coffin - adorned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy' - passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, shortly after midday. Flowers had been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park while the owners of the house put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window. Sharon Osbourne is seen today attending her late husband Ozzy's funeral procession She was supported by family members in Birmingham city centre The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house. Thousands of people were pictured taking their places not only on Black Sabbath Bridge but along the city centre route along which his cortege travelled towards the Black Sabbath Bridge bench. Elsewhere in London, the Coldstream Guards payed tribute to the heavy metal legend at the changing of the guard by performing their own rendition of his hit-song Paranoid. Fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes around the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days to honour the heavy metal star who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham. Members of the public have also signed a book of condolences, opened by Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. While organising the procession, Birmingham City Council collaborated with the Osbourne family, who funded all of the associated costs. Fans clapped and cheered chanting 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy' as the rock legend's hearse passed through the streets of Birmingham as tearful Sharon watched on and brushed away tears. Superfan Amy Maybury said: 'Everyone was clapping and singing and celebrating his life, it was a beautiful atmosphere. So many people united together to pay their respects to their hero. 'The streets were lined with rows and rows of fans standing on tiptoes trying to get a glimpse, hanging out of windows and waving their phones in the air in a desperate bid to capture the moment on video.' Amy, 32, who has been a fan since she was a young girl, told the Mail: 'He was my idol. I grew up listening to him from the age of eight as my family were big fans. 'It was fitting to be here today to say goodbye. Luckily I was early and got a place at the front and saw the whole funeral procession 'Sharon, bless her, looked very upset when she got out of the car with the kids to look at tributes. She was wiping away tears for her beloved Ozzy. It was very touching.' DJ Amy from Wolverhampton, who has been living in Birmingham for the past seven years, said: 'I was so shocked when Ozzy passed away, it hasn't really hit me yet. 'I've seen him live three times but sadly missed his last show. He was the epitome of heavy metal - a star right until the end. I'll really miss him. 'I laid some sunflowers for him last week at the bench and put up a little memorial plaque. 'I'll never forget him and his great music and the impact he made to my life. He inspired me to play guitar.' Aircraft engineer Jebald Ulay, 45, a fan originally from the Philippines, said: Ozzy's influence on heavy metal music has had 'repercussions around the world', dubbing him 'the best'. Aficionados have been congregating in Birmingham city centre as part of the day's events Locals have been lining up to pay their respects to the late heavy metal icon Ozzy is pictured here with his wife Sharon Osbourne, in Los Angeles in September 2017 His nurse wife Jenny, 39, added: 'We saw him back in 2018 and it is a night we'll never forget. He was my idol and he taught us that it is OK to be different. He was an ordinary guy but became extraordinary with his huge musical talent. 'There is a small Filipino community in Birmingham and we all love Ozzy.' Ben Alexander, 24, drummer and manager of thrash metal band Mount Slatra, said: 'He was a larger than life character, energetic and kind, and the pioneer of heavy metal music. 'He inspired me and many others and we all owe a lot to him. His death was very sad and too sudden.' One Black Sabbath fan gathering along Broad Street, giving the name of Goose, told today of discovering heavy metal as a teenager and feeling uplifted by Ozzy. They said: 'That's when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us. 'We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence. 'Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people's lives.' Fans have been sharing embraces as they mourn Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham These admirers congregated on what is popularly known as Black Sabbath Bridge in the city People were congregating hours in advance of the funeral procession scheduled for 1pm Praise is continuing to pour in for heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, pictured in June 2007 Flowers, notes and floral tributes on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench are seen in Birmingham Queues formed along Birmingham city centre streets ahead of the memorial parade Huge crowds have been gathering in Birmingham awaiting Ozzy Osbourne's funeral cortege This Black Sabbath devotee was among the many out in Birmingham today to pay respects Also turning out in Ozzy Osbourne's honour were fans Jerald and Jenny Ulay Masses of floral tributes have been piling up at Birmingham's Black Sabbath Bridge Read More EXCLUSIVE Boozehound, jailbird, bat beheader... and how Ozzy Osbourne's love for wife Sharon changed it all Fellow fan fan Evie Mayo said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham, as she waited by the Black Sabbath Bridge for his cortege to arrive. She said: 'I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. 'I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well. 'Now that he's not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' She added: 'He inspired me by, I love his music, absolutely love his music. I'm learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.' Birmingham-based musicians Alicia Gardener-Trejo and Aaron Diaz were also there, performing songs by Ozzy and Black Sabbath, with Alicia telling BBC News of being 'super-excited' to be involved amid today's commemorations. She said: 'It's a huge honour to be playing the music of Ozzy and Black Sabbath today. I'm a huge fan. I'm pretty speechless. Growing up, listening to Ozzy - it's huge to be part of this.' Aaron said: 'Ozzy and Black Sabbath's music really represents something about Birmingham - there's grit there, there's heaviness, but there's also humour and there's a sort of humility in it as well.' Ozzy Osbourne's widow Sharon was accompanied by family and dignitaries at today's event Family members including Sharon (centre) and children Jack and Kelly honoured the rock star T-shirts and memorabilia have been shown from Ozzy Osbourne's final gig at Villa Park This large mural in honour of the former Black Sabbath frontman is among the tributes Newspaper tributes as well as floral arrangements have been placed to mark Ozzy's passing Dawn Woolven (pictured) was wearing a Black Sabbath as she joined the throng of mourners Fans awaiting the arrival of his funeral cortege held floral tributes Black Sabbath fan Amy Maybury is seen here giving a the recognised hard rock hand gesture Fans have been lining Broad Street leading towards Birmingham city centre for the event This is among the items placed today in Birmingham ahead of Ozzy Osbourne's funeral Read More The secret Osbourne children: Ozzy's little-known son breaks silence on rocker's death Lee Clarke and his mother Tracey travelled 200 miles from Plymouth to get to Birmingham for today's event, boarding a sleeper train overnight. He told BBC Radio WM: 'I decided long ago, when it happened I would go - thought we'd get more notice. 'Its pretty hard to be a metalhead and not like Ozzy Osbourne - all the other music, the other bands, they wouldn't exist if it wasn't for him.' Tracey told of becoming a fan over the past decade due to her son's influence and said of their arrival today to join the crowds: 'I just feel the need to be here and show the family how loved Ozzy was. 'I'm sure they know, but it's just somewhere I felt I wanted to be today. He was an ordinary man - an extraordinary, ordinary man.' Meanwhile, 10-year-old Eliza turned up bearing an umbrella with model bats attached, as well as a sign saying: 'Goodnight Ozzy - Birmingham forever.' Eliza, accompanied by her mother and grandmother, said: 'Ozzy is a local lad, a boy from Aston, and he's allowed kids like me to dream big - Ozzy is Birmingham.' Her mother Claire Finn-O'Shea described Birmingham as 'a city in mourning', adding: 'We love what Ozzy did for the city. We love that he stuck to his roots. I feel like we will get upset today when we see the coffin. Crowds have been gathering early along Broad Street in Birmingham before today's procession Flower honours for the late Ozzy Osbourne have continued to mount along Broad Street Groups congregated along Broad Street ahead of the procession scheduled for 1pm Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham has been awash with memorial messages and displays Read More Kelly Osbourne shares heart-wrenching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following his death aged 76 'It feels like it's a big deal, and it's so generous of the family to bring him home to Birmingham - because for the fans to be involved, that's a massive thing.' Adam Davies, 19, who was repeatedly leading chants of 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy' with the crowd roaring back 'oi, oi, oi', confessed: 'I skived off uni today, telling them I was ill and I probably will be after all this shouting but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.' Superfan Adam, who is studying engineering at Coventry University, recently met his Black Sabbath hero at a meet and greet and paying £666 for the privilege. He told the Daily Mail: 'I walked up to him and he put out his hand to shake mine and said, 'Hello, my name is Ozzy Osbourne. How are you?' 'It knocked me for six seeing and talking to him and wanted to say, 'I know who you are, the greatest rocker on earth! It cost me nearly £700 of my student grant but it was worth every penny.' Another fan Adam, from Walsall, also had his picture taken with the star, who was with his family at the Comic Con event at Birmingham's NEC venue. He will forever treasure the picture, saying: 'I saw him just 10 days before he died. He was smiling, he looked happy and healthy. I was the last person to meet him before he was taken off in a wheelchair to go home. Devotees have been lining the streets of the heavy metal legend's beloved home city This admirer had Ozzy Osbourne's first name painted on their hand held up in his honour A cuddly toy bat was held, nodding to one of the most famous anecdotes regarding Ozzy - with the singer having bitten the head off on on-stage during a live concert Read More Former X Factor star shares the heartfelt advice Ozzy Osbourne gave him over dinner at LA mansion 'He has inspired me and my friends and helped give some of them jobs in the music industry. He invented this genre of heavy metal music. 'You've got to turn out to say goodbye to such an incredible musical genius. I had to be here today to pay me respects and it helps give me closure.' Among others spectators saying farewell to the Birmingham heavy metal icon son was Ryan Darling, lead singer in a thrash metal band called Mount Slatra. He said: 'I'm a humongous fan of Ozzy and luckily got to his last concert. He was surreal on stage. 'He has inspired me as front man abs songwriter myself. He pioneered that genre of music - he is the godfather of heavy metal and without him we wouldn't have that music today.' Ryan, 23, from Worcester, added: 'I had to come and pay my respects. He has given us so much. 'He came from a working class family and flung into the limelight and fame and was still able to be himself.' Ryan, whose band recently featured on BBC radio show Forging Metal, added: 'The impact he's had on so many people's life is huge.' Pictured is one among thousands of Ozzy Osbourne fans gathering in Birmingham today Emotional tributes have been left canalside at Birmingham's Brindleyplace, near Broad Street Police and barriers are seen along Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham on Wednesday morning The streets of Birmingham have been packed with people turning out today to pay tribute Read More Why Ozzy Osbourne's first wife has airbrushed the rock star from her life Earlier, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said: 'Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham. 'Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. Ozzy Osbourne's home city put on a 'fitting tribute to a legend', the Lord Mayor of Birmingham has said. Councillor Zafar Iqbal thanked Sharon Osbourne and the family for allowing the city to welcome the Black Sabbath singer back home for one final time. He said: 'It was very emotional and a great turnout with thousands of fans lining the streets. It was well organised, we looked after all the fans and I think it was a fitting tribute to a legend who was a Brummie through and through. 'Like his final gig, he came back home and we were proud to have him. 'I have been here since seven o'clock this morning talking to fans and the emotions were really high, people just loved Ozzy and you could really feel that when you were there. 'I think we should be a really proud city. I'm proud that we delivered one of the best send-offs I have seen in my time.' 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city in giving him the farewell he deserves.' Black Sabbath admirers have been arriving early on Wednesday ahead of Ozzy's funeral A bench was occupied by Black Sabbath fans on the iconic bridge in Birmingham city centre People congregating wore T-shirts honouring Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne Fans have been congregating at the Birmingham site fondly known as Black Sabbath Bridge These are among the items left in honour of Ozzy Osbourne at the Birmingham bridge memorial The tributes come just weeks after Ozzy Osbourne's last gig, in his home city Birmingham Fans have been seen waiting patiently on the streets of England's second city to pay tribute Fences were erected along Broad Street in anticipation of the large numbers turning up today Read More The celebrity guest list at Ozzy Osbourne's homecoming funeral is revealed Describing Ozzy as a 'working class hero' who loved his city, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham said: 'I got to know him in the last few weeks when we gave him the freedom of the city and he was just so humble, so down to earth. He was a working class hero. 'I couldn't tell he was a rock star, he was just an ordinary guy, so caring. He had working class roots and his loved his fans, he loved his city, he always promoted Birmingham wherever he went, he was proud to have been born in Aston. 'His slogan was "Birmingham Forever" and that makes me such a proud citizen. It was a last hurrah for him today.' Broad Street has been closed to through traffic from 7am today, with buses and trams diverted before the road packed with bars reopens when the event finishes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates - Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward - were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people's exceptional service to the city. They are expected to attend, while other reported celebrity guests at events to commemorate Ozzy include Sir Elton John. The group, which formed in 1968, are widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the noughties reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. Tributes are left before Ozzy Osbourne's cortege journey through his home city Birmingham Ozzy took the stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park Stadium in his native Birmingham, England less than three weeks before his death Read More EXCLUSIVE Ozzy Osbourne's death was 'unexpected' but his children had been by his side, reveals KATIE HIND The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Ozzy took to the stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park stadium in his native Birmingham less than three weeks before his death - reuniting with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005. More than 42,000 fans packed into the venue for the Back To The Beginning show, during which he told the crowd in his final speech: 'You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart.' A message on screen then read: 'Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever,' before the sky lit up with fireworks. He had told of it being his last performance due to his health, having opened up about his battle with Parkinson's in 2020. In a statement shared last Tuesday, Ozzy's family said he died 'surrounded by love', adding: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.' He is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. Daily Mail revealed last Wednesday that an air ambulance was called to Osbourne's grand country home as paramedics battled to save his life for two hours. Friends told the Mail's Alison Boshoff that his heartbroken wife Sharon was considering now burying Ozzy in the gardens of the 350-acre estate in an intimate family funeral. Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, and dropped out of school at the age of 15. After serving two months in prison for burglary, he decided to pursue his love of music. By 1970, Black Sabbath - originally going by the name of Earth - had gained a huge following in the US and UK with the release of their first album. Ozzy quit the band in 1978 and four years later divorced his first wife Thelma Mayfair, with whom he had two children, amid his ongoing substance abuse problems. He went on to marry second wife Sharon, who helped him transform into a successful solo artist and the couple had three children together. Ozzy gained a whole new audience of fans with the family's reality TV show The Osbournes in 2001. He spoke in 2011 about how he imagined his future send-off, telling the Times: 'I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral - they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and 'We Are The Diddymen' if it makes 'em happy. 'But I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest. I'd also like some pranks: maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin, or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of 'death'. 'There'll be no harping on the bad times. It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. 'So by any measure, most of us in this country - especially rock stars like me - are very lucky. That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad - I want it to be a time to say, 'Thanks'.'
