Brad Hodge’s chances of reviving his international career at the World Twenty20 have received a boost, with the veteran batsman selected in the Prime Minister’s XI to face England in Canberra on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old hasn’t played an international for six years but his form for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and the Royals in the Champions League have him in line for a belated call-up to the Australian squad for the T20 tournament starting in March in Bangladesh.
Hodge is the most senior player in the Prime Minister’s squad which will take on an England XI in a 50-over day-nighter at Manuka Oval on January 14.
The side is captained by another veteran, in Sydney Sixers star Brett Lee – who is retired from all international cricket.
Selectors have picked a strong team which also features fast bowlers Jackson Bird and Ben Cutting.
Bird is a chance to tour with the Test side to South Africa next month after bouncing back from injury, while big-hitting Queenslander Cutting is odds on to help lead Australia’s charge at the World T20.
Promising spinners James Muirhead and Clive Rose and damaging batsmen Chris Lynn and Luke Pomersbach have also been picked, as well as some of the best talent from the ACT.
Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin proved at 36 years of age during the Ashes series that age is no barrier.
Hodge will go down as one of the unluckiest Australian players of all time, having played just six Test matches despite averaging 55 and scoring more than 17,000 first-class.
However, even as his years have advanced, Hodge has shown in the shorter form he can hit a ball as clean as anyone – and Melbourne teammate David Hussey has demanded selectors pay attention.
National selector John Inverarity said Hodge and Lee had plenty to still offer Australian cricket.
“This match is a special fixture on the Australian cricketing calendar. Brett Lee and Brad Hodge bring leadership and experience to the team and will be great drawcards,” Inverarity said.
“Chris Lynn has been in excellent form this season in all forms of the game. Jackson Bird is recovering well from injury and we are keen to increase his workload.
“We have also been pleased with the progress of left-arm orthodox spinner Clive Rose, who has performed well for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield.”
Prime Minister’s XI: Brett Lee (capt) NSW, Jackson Bird TAS, Ben Cutting QLD, Peter Handscomb (wk) VIC, Brad Hodge VIC, Chris Lynn QLD, Alister McDermott QLD, James Muirhead VIC, Luke Pomersbach QLD, Clive Rose TAS, Michael Spaseski ACT, Shane Devoy (12th man) ACT
JohnB
Guest
Take out Botha and would SA be top? In the lead part way through the season doesn't mean much. Speaking of player talent, what was the head to head result with Qld?! This is a PM XI match. Selection in it may mean something or may not as regards how a player is viewed. Complain more when there's an Ashes squad and an Australia A squad, you've won trophies and you still only get a grand total on one in! Whick Croweaters should be selected do you think?
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Sa has the best talent in the country atm which is clear from the fact that they are numero uno in the shield.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
QLD have been excellent in all 3 forms of the game in the last few years including having all 3 titles at once, and have had very few players selected in any national side. So I think South Australians will just have to deal with it for awhile
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Not a single south aust.Makes me really sad n angry to see them not picking south australians.
Dan Ced
Guest
I liked him in Ryobi, good youngin' briefly had him in my BBL fantasy team until I realised he wasn't going to get a game.
Gav
Guest
Well, I haven't heard of this guy before, but obviously the selectors eye is still out for a spinner that turns the ball away from the right hander.....and it's not Agar “We have also been pleased with the progress of left-arm orthodox spinner Clive Rose, who has performed well for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield.”
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Rogers has shown the authorities that players can get big runs at a late age, Katich and Hodge could certainly have contributed a lot over the past few years
Brett McKay
Expert
It's worth noting that apart from Lee and the ACT locals, all players selected are aligned with the Heat and Stars in the BBL, who play on Sat night. With the six other teams playing Tue-Wed-Thu night, and the first ODI Friday night, this PMs side has been selected on the basis of minimal disruption to the BBL..
josh
Roar Rookie
Lynn should get a T20 call up. Hodge hasn't done much this year to warrant anything.
JGK
Roar Guru
Good signs for Latoya's chances of a Saf tour spot.