Brad Hodge was cut from the Test side in 2008 but sometimes, in the right light, you can still see the scar. Cheeky and upbeat as Hodge was on Friday, the 37-year-old couldn’t help a dig at Australia’s selectors, just for old time’s sake.
Hodge is fresh from an unbeaten 72 for Melbourne Renegades in their Big Bash League Twenty20 win over Sydney Sixers on Monday night.
The Victorian will open the batting for the Renegades on Saturday night against Melbourne Stars at the MCG in the first derby between the two sides, with an expected crowd of 30,000 looking on.
But Hodge knows no matter how many runs he scores in the BBL season, he’s an unlikely selection for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in September or Australia’s T20 clashes with India in Sydney and Melbourne next month.
Hodge played six Tests and averages 55.88.
Asked if Renegades allrounder Shahid Afridi (25 runs at 12.50) was due to produce a big score on Saturday night, Hodge seized his chance to have another crack at Cricket Australia’s selectors.
“You give everyone an opportunity, sooner or later you’re going to score runs. Look at the Test team,” Hodge said.
“They get given 10 or so Tests to score a hundred, you’re going to score one sooner or later.
“It’s not hard. So I’m sure Shahid Afridi will do the same thing.
“I’m available for selection but I won’t be selected, simple as that.
“Mind you I don’t want to be. My kids are all sick at the moment.
“I need to be at home with them.”
Hodge threatened in 2009 to take up lawn bowls because he saw it as a better way to win national selection.
The Victoria opener is the leading Australian domestic one-day scorer this season with 312 runs at an average of 52 and he’s averaging 116 in the BBL.
“My form’s been pretty good probably for about 10 years now,” Hodge said on Friday.
“I’ll just try to continue it on.”
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