A superb hand by Brad Hodge – after Tim Paine appeared to break his – was still not enough to lift the ACA All Stars in their Twenty20 clash with the Aussie Fans’ XI at the Gabba on Sunday night.
The forgotten man of Australian cricket gave national selectors another not so subtle reminder by thrashing 84 off 50 balls, including eight fours and four sixes.
His heroics came after the All Stars lost wicketkeeper Paine in the very first over chasing the Fans XI’s 8-191 off their 20 overs.
But it was not enough as the All Stars fell short at 5-186 when Lee Carseldine (27) was caught on the boundary trying to hit a six off the last ball for victory.
Paine had compiled four from just three balls before leaving the field nursing his right hand after being struck by Dirk Nannes.
He was later whisked away for X-rays but asked by Channel Nine commentator Mark Taylor if he had a broken hand, Paine said: “Yeah, I think so.”
Hodge put on 76 with big hitting opener David Warner (43; four fours, one six) before the All Stars lost momentum.
They lost 3-34 as Tasmanian skipper George Bailey (seven) and West Indian import Keiron Pollard (six) also fell away.
But Hodge was not to be denied in a knock that would normally make selectors sit up and take notice.
However, the 35-year-old is not holding his breath waiting for a call any time soon.
He last played for Australia in any form of the game two years ago.
His Test career stalled after six appearances despite averaging 55.88.
That included an unbeaten 203 against South Africa in Perth.
Yet it was still not enough for the Australian selectors.
Earlier on Sunday Hodge said he could empathise with dumped Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz.
After Hodge finally went, the All Stars needed 20 off the final over – inexplicably bowled by Fans XI captain Matthew Hayden.
And Carseldine (27) almost got them home before being caught by Aaron Finch needing a six off the final ball for victory.
Earlier, Aaron O’Brien took 3-26 off four overs while a fighting 42 by David Hussey and skipper Matthew Hayden’s breezy 34 lifted the Fans XI to 8-191 off their 20 overs.
Hodge said he still held a “slim” hope of a national recall in the limited overs format after retiring from first class cricket.
“If I keep doing my job then you never know,” he said.
“Who knows what lies in front?
“I just want to enjoy my cricket and have some fun, play the best I can.”
Hayden admitted Hodge was like a fine wine.
“He is still a little warrior, still doing it better than anyone,” Hayden said.
Of Hodge’s Test career, Hayden said: “Not too many score a Test match 200 and get dropped the next game.
“But he has been competing with guys like Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn so you have to put it into context.
“But there is nothing wrong with his technique or attitude.”
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