The final day of the Fourth Test against South Africa was special for Marcus Trescothick, who batted magnificently to make 180; could have been incredible for Herschelle Gibbs, who was two runs away from completing twin centuries; and might have turned into a Graeme Smith story if South Africa's captain had saved the game after defying medical advice.
But it was all Hoggard's. And for a man who is happy to hover around the edge of the limelight, celebrating a team success and slapping the backs of others, he looked surprisingly comfortable on centre stage.
A dozen wickets in the Test, seven in the second innings including last man Dale Steyn to seal a 77-run victory. There was no other candidate for man of the match.
"I think the likes of Harmison and Flintoff have taken a lot of pressure off the team with all their performances and that's allowed the other guys to grow as players," the ever modest Hoggard said. "It's nice when you can back those guys up."
Hoggard is fast, but not as quick as Harmison. He swings the ball in most conditions, but has had to learn to be patient when the ball refuses to bend to his will.
Now, rather like Michael Kasprowicz performing with Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, he has become the sort of supporting act who can take the main part when the occasion demands.
But he doesn't need spectacular results all the time because England want consistency from him, not flashes in the pan.
"Everybody has their role," Hoggard said. "It's taken me a while to realise what mine is, but I think I've found my niche and hopefully I can continue bowling like this."
With Harmison struggling, Hoggard has had to shoulder an extra burden, bowling even more overs than expected.
He has sent down nearly 170 overs in four hard Tests. Doubling his wicket tally for the series, from 12 to 24, was timely reward for that effort.
" Matthew's bowling spells the whole series have been good," Ray Jennings, South Africa's coach, said.
"You can't recall a spell when he hasn't put his heart into it. He's consistently landed the ball in the right channels and shown a lot of passion and energy.
"I take my hat off to him for his desire to want to bowl and keep on coming at you."
Praise from the opposition is always welcome. And non-stop support from England's travelling fans goes a long way, too.
But the thanks of captain Vaughan will be even sweeter music to Hoggard's ears.
"It's a tremendous effort to keep running in and to bowl the amount of overs he has," Vaughan said. "He may not have bowled quite as well as he wanted in the first innings, but still picked up five wickets. In the second innings, he was faultless."
Hoggard's team-mates were genuinely thrilled for their main man and doubtless raised a glass or two in his direction.
This time, Hoggard knows he will be back with them next Test and next series. Back where he belongs.
