Kyle keen to extend deal

Lancashire all rounder Kyle Hogg gives a coaching session to youngsters from Hulme Grammar School in their sports hall.

KYLE HOGG is in talks to extend his contract at Lancashire to beyond 2010.

The all-rounder has enjoyed his busiest season so far at Old Trafford, bowling four balls shy of 320 overs in 13 Championship matches.

And now Hogg, who signed as a professional at Lancashire in September 2000, is ready to commit his immediate future to the club.

Negotiations are already under way — his present deal runs out after the end of next season — and Hogg is keen to carry on his career at the Red Rose county.

The 26-year-old has blossomed under the tutelage of Peter Moores, who took over as Lancashire coach in February and he can’t speak highly enough of the former England chief.

Hogg said: “There is an intensity about Peter Moores, you only have to talk to him for a couple of minutes release that.

“He is such a positive person and only sees the good that people can do and what they can offer for the team.

“If you asked him to throw some balls at you at 7am he would do it and if you asked him for a net at 9pm he would take it.”

Hogg, who came through the junior ranks at Greenfield in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League, was due to play in Australia this winter, but has been told by Moores to put his feet up and relax for six weeks instead.

Moores is fearful that players will become more susceptible to injury if they don’t take a decent break from the game.

Hogg has earned his rest after finally nailing down a place in Lancashire’s first XI.

He claimed 30 wickets at an average of 32.16 in division one of the County Championship, and struck two half-centuries on his way to 307 runs at 25.58.

Hogg said: “This season has been brilliant, I’ve never played so much cricket. I’m shattered.

“When Corky (Dominic Cork) left there was an opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place in the team and it was good that I was able to take it.

“I was consistent with the ball, which I was pleased about, but I was also able to contribute with some decent scores with the bat and play my part in a couple of important partnerships lower down the order.

“I suppose there was a bit of pressure to perform, but then again there is always pressure when you play for Lancashire.”

Hogg admits to being “bored” — less than two weeks after the end of the season.

“I miss my mates. They’ve either gone away on holiday or they are working,” he said.

“In August, you kind of look forward to the end of the season, but when it gets to September you don’t want it stop.”

Looking ahead to 2010, Hogg has high hopes that Lancashire can challenge for the title.

He said: “We’re definitely heading in the right direction and if we can bolster the batting after losing Mal Loye, I’m sure we won’t be far away.

“I know there was a chance of us being relegated going into the final game of last season, but we ended up fourth. That’s how it is in the County Championship these days, it’s very tight.

“We were without Saj (Sajid Mahmood) and Chappy (Glen Chapple) for two or three games in the middle of the season and if only one of them had played during that spell, I’m sure we would have won one of those matches and picked up another 20 points. That would have made a big difference.”

It’s not all respite for Hogg as he is hosting coaching sessions at Old Trafford three nights a week and at Hulme Grammar School on Saturday mornings.

Time off during the winter will also allow him to work toward his level three coaching badge.

He said: “I don’t just enjoy playing cricket and I also like to see how much other people get out of it, too.”