Matthew Hoggard has been left out of England's line-up for tomorrow's opening npower Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

Hoggard, the country's sixth most successful bowler of all time with 248 wickets, had hoped to force his way back into Michael Vaughan's team after being dropped two months ago. But the selectors have stuck with the side that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory over the Kiwis last winter.

With Hoggard 12th man, player-oftheyear Ryan Sidebottom and young guns Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad will continue their pace partnership, backed up by the spin of Monty Panesar.

However, the seamers know it is not just Hoggard who is after their spot. Captain Michael Vaughan confirmed today that Andrew Flintoff would have slotted into the team at No7 but for a side strain - and England's skipper cannot wait to have the all-rounder back.

"I want 'Freddie' back fit," said Vaughan, who is moving down to his favourite No3 batting place at Lord's while Andrew Strauss returns to opener.

"I was excited a week ago, hearing how he was bowling for Lancashire. We want him back because we are a better team when he's in it. He seems to be bowling better than ever and he would have probably played at No7 here in a three-man seam attack. It's just unfortunate he's picked up this niggle."

For now, England will give Anderson and Broad a chance to build on some promising performances in New Zealand, despite Hoggard's claims for a quick recall.

"Hoggy's done everything we could have asked of him - he's gone back and bowled well for Yorkshire," said Vaughan. "But when you've won a series, and the guys who came in did well, they deserve another chance.

"Their goal is to try to keep the likes of Hoggard and Steve Harmison out of the side. It's all there for them, now they've got to produce."

So have England as a unit. "We produced some good performances in New Zealand still without being at our best," said Vaughan. "We have to move on now and try to beat them at home in a convincing fashion." England will unveil their new ' brilliant white' kit this week - despite a contracts row over logos which will see them wearing unbranded trousers - but it is the quality of their cricket which really needs to sparkle all summer. And no one could do with a shining start more than Vaughan.

The struggling captain failed to make a century last winter and looked horribly out of sorts by the end of the New Zealand tour.

"It's very important I score runs," he said today. "I'll be batting at No3 and it's crucial your No3 gets runs. I did pretty well there last year and am confident I can again this summer."