Veteran batsman poised to play in Australian colours again
Hodge recalled to national side
Victoria veteran Brad Hodge has been recalled to the national Twenty20 side as cover for allrounder Moises Henriques, who departs for the Tour of South Africa on Friday.
The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel made the announcement following Australia's 13-run win over England in the opening KFC T20 INTL in Hobart on Wednesday night.
The 39-year-old, who is the world's highest-scoring Twenty20 batsman, has been in outstanding form for the Melbourne Stars in season three of the KFC T20 Big Bash League, averaging 33.60 at a strike rate of 129.23.
He led the Stars in Cameron White’s absence in their last round fixture against the Perth Scorchers, producing a captain’s knock of 61 in an impressive 20-run win, and is behind only Aaron Finch in terms of BBL runs scored, with 700 at 43.75 with seven half-centuries.
Hodge has however, seemingly been out of favour with Australia selectors for much of his career, much to the ire of patriotic Victoria fans.
But he was selected to play in the PM's XI Tour match earlier this month, making 28, and this latest recall may be a nod to a possible spot in the World Twenty20 squad for the tournament in Bangladesh in March.
Hodge told The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this year that one reason he had not ruled out the possibility of a national recall was because national selectors had chosen left-arm wrist-spinner Brad Hogg, then 40, for the 2012 World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
Furthermore, Chris Rogers was selected at 35 for the back-to-back Ashes series.
"Nothing is out of the question. You never know, but there's some pretty good players around Australia at the moment," Hodge said. "I'm just having fun, enjoying my cricket and playing for the Stars."
The #Dodgeball is back! Will be awesome to have him back in the Aussie colours!! @bradhodge007
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) January 29, 2014
NEWS: The @StarsBBL @bradhodge007 is back in the Aussie T20 squad! We would love to see him smashing it on the @MCG tomorrow night #AUSvENG
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 29, 2014
“@StarsBBL: The @bradhodge007 is back in the Aussie T20 squad!" ABOUT TIME!! Well deserved and very overdue!
— Geri Fitzgerald (@GeriFitz) January 29, 2014
Awesome to see @bradhodge007 get the call up to the national side. @JackRiewoldt08 @BrettDeledio03 @troychaplin25 #gethimtosouthafrica
— Shaun Grigg (@ShaunGrigg6) January 29, 2014
@missjesscook @bradhodge007 @MCG finally some common sense from the selectors.
— wayne sinclair (@wsinclair45) January 29, 2014
More information
At all KFC T20 international games, kids 15 and under get in free. A ticket and allocated seat is still required and all fans are encouraged to avoid queues at the gate and pre-purchase tickets online.
There's a great range of off-field activities throughout the series. These include KFC’s mega catch innings break where fans can win cash prizes, and roving entertainers including the Wickid Force and Trampolinists.
Buy your tickets for the remaining T20 internationals now here.