Hogan return assists Warriors depth test
Michael Hogan will return to WA to bolster the State's pace stocks during the gruelling start to the domestic season.
The paceman, who just became the first Glamorgan bowler in a decade to take 100 wickets in a county season, will take advantage of a Cricket Australia rule change to allow him to play first-class cricket in both countries.
"There are a few windows to play back in Western Australia and I would like to keep ticking over," he said.
Hogan, 32, was forced to relinquish his Warriors place this year to take up a contract with Glamorgan.
But the CA change, which was designed to allow promising opener Sam Robson to remain eligible for Australia while maintaining his lucrative county deal, will enable Hogan to continue to play for the Warriors.
His presence will boost WA as they face the prospect of at least 12 games - six one-dayers before any finals and six Sheffield Shield matches - in the opening two months of the season.
Coach Justin Langer expects to use at least six pacemen - and would not be surprised if more than eight were required.
WA will have Mitch Johnson and Nathan Coulter-Nile available between international duties while Ryan Duffield and Nathan Rimmington are likely to get early opportunities.
Scorchers Jason Behrendorff and Burt Cockley will be in the mix while rookie Joel Paris is set to be elevated into the Warriors team after his impressive performance at the Champions League.
Mitch Marsh's hamstring injury may limit his bowling early in the season.
Hogan reached his century of wickets during Glamorgan's final county match and now has 197 first-class scalps.
He recently extended his Glamorgan contract until 2016 and is wary of doing anything to jeopardise his long-term prospects.
"I have come through the season pretty good without picking up any niggles," he said.
"I am a bowler who goes better with more work and I have been fortunate to have rest at the right times. But I won't do anything to jeopardise my Glamorgan career."
Hogan's county teammate, Jim Allenby, who played one Twenty20 match for WA in 2006-07 and has become one of the most effective limited overs all-rounders in England, is also eligible for WA.
Hogan, who has been WA's most successful bowler since moving to Perth four years ago, also owns several Australian batting records - including most shield runs by any No.11, the WA 10th wicket record stand of 94 and Australia's highest 10th-wicket partnership of 68 to win a match.
Young gun Ashton Agar was Hogan's partner in both those feats.
