Matthew Hoggard defends Aleem Dar after error

Former England pace bowler Matthew Hoggard has hailed Aleem Dar as a "fantastic umpire" despite his error on day three of the first Ashes Test.

Dar failed to spot a clear edge off Stuart Broad's bat that was claimed at slip, but the Yorkshireman has defended the umpire, who has been regarded as the world's best on three occasions.

The 36-year-old told Sky Sports News: "We talk about the MCC spirit of cricket, but if all batsmen walked when they edged it, we wouldn't need umpires. You want the umpires to have the chance to be involved. Aleem Dar's a fantastic umpire - he's won umpire of the year three times. It was a blatant nick and unfortunately he made a mistake.

"It's very easy when you've got replay after replay, slow-mo, hotspot and everything else. The umpire has a split second to judge.

"It came off the keeper's gloves and was caught at slip, so whether he thought it was just a near miss that rebounded off the keeper's gloves to slip, who knows? You'll have to ask Aleem Dar."

Broad was eventually dismissed for 65 during the morning session on day four.