Former England coach Duncan Fletcher believes that fast bowlers Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard will find it hard to make a comeback into the national squad after being dropped in New Zealand.

Fletcher also had a word of advice for Andrew Flintoff, saying he needs to improve his batting.

Flintoff is not a a Test match number six, believed Fletcher.

"(Harmison) will find it hard. He'll need some consistent performances," Fletcher was quoted as saying to the Sunday Telegraph.

"I was not surprised (about Hoggard being dropped) - he always struggled when he was the main strike bowler," the former coach said.

"It's typical Harmy - he could and should be the number one bowler in the world but he can't seem to put it all together," he said.

"I saw an interview where he was having a go at some current players who had criticised him and saying something about not being able to wait to see them from 22 yards.

"Why does he need things like that to motivate himself?"

Fletcher said Hoggard had slowed down and that was worrying.

"His speed has been dropping for a while. I heard someone say he's lost his nip, but I thought it had gone a while ago," Fletcher added.

On Flintoff, Fletcher said:"I hope his foot does allow him to bowl properly because otherwise his batting will need to improve.

"I think it has become pretty obvious he is not a Test match number six. He is a number seven."