Should Australia take a 43-year-old spinner and a 39-year-old batsman to the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in March?
If they are serious about finally making a mark on the shortest format of the game, the answer is “Yes”.
Not only are both players still in fine form, but they offer an enormous amount of experience and composure, which are key commodities in any World Cup.
While the reflexes of most batsmen have eroded significantly by the time they reach the age of 39, Hodge appears to be striking the ball as cleanly as ever.
Among the many mysteries attached to his career, it is puzzling that Hodge has not been a key component of the Aussie T20 side for the past five or six years.
Nobody in history has scored more T20 runs than his 5771 at 37.
There is a wide-open spot in Australia’s middle order which Hodge could fill nicely.
The top four of David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson and George Bailey is cast in concrete.
Glenn Maxwell seems to have the number six spot on lockdown. That leaves the five position up for grabs.
The likes of Queensland youngster Chris Lynn and Victorian veteran Cameron White also have strong claims for that spot.
Lynn has scored 194 runs at 39 in the Big Bash this summer, while White has clubbed 197 runs at 39.
Both players have also had fine campaigns in the Ryobi Cup and Sheffield Shield this season, further emphasising their good form.
Hodge, meanwhile, is tailor made for batting at five in a pressure-soaked tournament.
He has the capacity to come to the crease and ram home the advantage should Australia be well on top or, alternatively, stabilise the innings and guide the side home after an early collapse.
Crucially, Hodge is intimately familiar with T20 cricket in subcontinental conditions, having played 62 games in the Indian Premier League and a further 22 matches in the Bangladesh Premier League.
The dry surfaces expected in Bangladesh also mean that Australia will very likely bring two specialist spinners in a probable 15-man squad for the World Cup.
Tasmanian tweaker Xavier Doherty is the incumbent in the side.
But his position in both of Australia’s limited overs teams appears uncertain due to continued unconvincing displays.
In his four Big Bash games the past few weeks he has averaged 50 with the ball to go with 10 wickets at 30 in his T20 outings for Australia.
Old timer Hogg has been the standout Australian spinner in this summer’s Big Bash League, albeit in a season dominated by pace bowlers.
He has snared six wickets at 22 while displaying commendable control and guile, conceding only 5.5 runs per over.
This frugality would be a great counterpoint to the hostility of Australia’s strong pace attack.
Hogg has shown during his domestic T20 performances, and in his fantastic ODI career for Australia, that he has the temperament to deal with marauding batsmen.
Granted, his T20 international record – five wickets at 62 – does not inspire confidence.
But Australia have few other options, let alone alternatives with a similar level of experience in T20 and at international limited overs level.
Hogg was an influential member of Australia’s triumphant side at the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, snaring 13 wickets at 24.
He built on that four years later in the West Indies, where he reaped 21 wickets at 16 to be one of the players of the tournament as Australia achieved back-to-back-to-back World Cup titles.
Hogg and Hodge could well help Australia enjoy some belated success in the T20 format.
Both would be worthy inclusions in the squad to go to Bangladesh in two months’ time.
Sweeney Hughes
Guest
The funny thing is, if you pick the team on form then you wouldn't just end up with Hodge and Hogg, but you'd also have Katich and Hussey - lee wouldn't bee too far off either. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing though, in fact, I'd be well in favor to have them all in the squad.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Goes to show that T20 isn't necessarily for the younger players. Hodge should definitely get a crack in the squad.
Ryan
Guest
I reckon a decent 15-man squad: Bailey (c) Warner Finch White M Marsh Dunk Wade Maxwell Bird Hodge Christian Doherty Coulter-Nile Faulkner Cutting
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yep Smith is firming as a potential inclusion for the World Cup. His form in all three forms has been terrific this season, he is a gun in the field and he can potentially send down an over or two if needed.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Dirk Nannes has been a fine T20 bowler but isn't as good as he was 3-4 years ago.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
It's good to see Khawaja back scoring some runs but I wouldn't have him in my World Cup squad.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
After Haddin retires it looks likely to be a contest between Wade and Paine for the limited overs gigs.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Arto as I pointed out in the article Hodge has scored the most T20 runs in history at the sensational average of 37. So he hasn't just cashed in during the BBL when the best bowlers have been preoccupied with Tests or ODIs. He has also played close to 90 games of T20 on the subcontinent and averaged 35+ over there.
Bearfax
Guest
If you mean I favour him because he scores runs, then yes he is a favourite. My favourites are those who average well over the long term. So at the moment Khawaja is a favourite for ODI but not for tests because his performance at FC level has dropped. Always had Warner and Smith as favourites because based on age and averages they are top class in Oz cricket at present. Hughes is top class in all forms of the game with an average of 45+ in all forms. Lynn is becoming a favourite given his recent efforts though like Silk, I want to see a little more than him, Maddinson is a favourite because of his efforts so young and his performance for Oz A in Africa recently. Burns is on the rise again. Cosgrove is a long term favourite because of his averages but he's been a little on the slide in recent times. Doolan is fringe material because at 28 he should be averaging better and looks to be heading in the Cowan class (mind you Cowan is a good fringe player himself and a little more attacking flair and I'd be favouring him. Does that answer your point Arto. Have a good one.
Arto
Guest
@ Bearfax: Yeah, Khawaja is doing well in the BBL too - 162 from 4 matches @ 54.00 with a SR of 118.24 (1 n/o & 1 50 also indicate consistancy too!) But I'd noticed he's a bit of a favourite of yours so I'll stop feeding you with more amo to fire at Ronan! ;-)
Arto
Guest
@ Ronan O'Connell: Another quick question: in terms of likely bowlers to be playing in the upcoming T20WC, how many of them play in the BBL? My point is that maybe Hodge is doing well here, but that may not be against a similar standard of bowling to that he'd likely face in Bangladesh. As for Hogg, well my concerns about his fielding have also been raised by another comment above, but if he saves through his bowling some of the runs he conceeds through his fielding then maybe we could afford to pick him. My general thought is that you need to have 11 guys that can score - I'm sure there are plenty of examples of that not being the case (eg: Melbourne Stars at the moment!), but the more guys who can make runs, the bigger the effect of the pressure of chasing a total. No matter how could a batting line-up a team has, there's a pretty big chance they'll get psyched out having to chase over 200-220 (on a normal size ground - not a Nth Sydney Oval type ground!)
Arto
Guest
@ Chris Kettlewell: Just for info... :-) Including yesterday's match, Steve Smith has the following stats from this season's BBL: 22, 65 & 52 = 139 @ 46,3 (SR=133,65, batting @ #4, & coming @ scores of 2/53 after 6.3 in WIN vs Thunder, 2/20 after 2.4 in LOSS vs Scorchers, and 2/50 after 5.3 in WIN vs. Hurricanes). Plus, he achieved the following during the Ryobi Cup earlier this season: 321 runs from 8 innings (with 2 n/os) @ 53.5 with a highest score of 73* & a SR of 79.06. So I'd take a punt on him for the upcoming squad.
Arto
Guest
@ Tinfoil Hat: June lets his Sydney Thunder bias shine through a bit too much (he was even struggling to be partial for the Sixers game against the Heat a couple of games back - this coming from a Sixers fan!). Other than that though, I agree! :-)
Arto
Guest
@ Ronan O'Connell: As a speculator, what about Dirk Nannes? He's played loads of games of there, is a renowned good 'death' bowler, and would probably have inside tips on almost 90% of all the other players in the tournament!!
Bearfax
Guest
ps Khawaja was killing them in the local one day matches here only about 2 months ago, way ahead of Maddinson, Lynn or Hughes, yet no one is mentioning his name now.
Arto
Guest
@ Ronan O'Connell: Couldn't you say that about ANY offspinner? Ps. Thanks for the encouragement with a comment of mine in another thread! :-)
Bearfax
Guest
Didnt realise the World Cup was that close so you've found me wanting.. However 8 weeks is an eternity when it comes to form. Bailey's situation is evidence of that
Dan Ced
Guest
Who is arguably the best performed keeper in BBL03? An old fat guy playing for the 6ers. Pretty damning. I'm in the "anybody but Wade" camp, so Whiteman would probably get a shot.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Even if Ronchi was still eligible for Aus he'd be down the pecking order.
Nudge
Guest
That's a dam good side and the correct side. Starc was one of the best one day bowlers in the world people forget before he was injured. He completes that side if fit. I'd perhaps play hazlewood if Starc isn't right