Big Bash star batsman, Brad Hodge, has been brought in to the Australian T20 squad set to replace Moises Henriques.
The Aussie veteran has received the call up as Moises Henriques packs his bags to join the Test squad in South Africa.
Hodge’s record in all forms of the game is outstanding to say the least. However this presents the question, why now at the age of 39, is he back in Aussie colours again?
Of course, without a doubt, he is one of the top T20 batsmen in the world and you would be hard pressed to find any cricket fan that would disagree.
But since when do the Australian selectors take any note of Brad Hodge’s cricketing success?
Not so long ago, instigated by the retirement of some of the best Australian cricketers ever to take the field, the Australian cricket team was struggling.
Hampered by inexperience and having to suffer through a “rebuild”, the balance between exciting new talent and seasoned professional was not achieved for some time with the latter lacking severely.
Clearly, the decision was made to go with talented youth that would eventually rise to the top of international cricket, while sacrificing immediate success.
The plan has worked as intended; Australia have had an amazing summer. But the true test against South Africa is still to come.
So why at a time when there is a huge number of exciting young Australian T20 cricketers ready to take the world by storm, are they now selecting Brad Hodge?
He was the perfect candidate for so long and ignored – why the change of strategy?
Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t agree more with the selection of this great cricketer.
The underlying issue here is what on earth was going on with Australian cricket post Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Adam Gilchrist and co?
Throw in Mickey Arthur, the homework debacle, the frequent player rotation policy and the removal of Simon Katich and it certainly was a mess!
Enter Darren Lehmann and it all seems to be back on track with minimal fuss, with Boof deserving all the credit that comes his way.
Dan Ced
Roar Rookie
Yep Yep, and I think Hodge will do well. You're right about a middle order player in a middle order spot. I feel Dunk, as well, would feel unlucky to not get picked. Unsurprisingly the openers are the ones to get the highers scores in T20 :P
Dr NRL
Guest
Answer: CA selectors - there is no greater hive of scum and villainy ... Oh hang on, that was Mos Eisley Spaceport ... But you get the picture. Incompetent. A man who would have, and still can by the looks, solidify the Test middle order.
knowall
Guest
How come Marsh gets a trip to SA without any form to back him up; yet Brad Hodge was a fantastic batsman who never got the recognition he deserved . Despite his doucble century against Sth Africa he was soon given the heave ho by selectors-poitics again - maybe victoria did not have a selector on the panel at that time.
Rising Power
Guest
I think it's more of a marketing ploy associated with the fact the next game is in Melbourne. If Ben Dunk (BBL03 avg 49.7, career SR 130) doesn't replace him for the third match the selectors are officially incompetent. I didn't even think of Klinger (who has been going ok) and I'm South Australian...but Dunk has had a good tournament.
Brett McKay
Expert
Surely you jest Dan, but knowing your long history of pumping for Klinger, I'm not at all surprised. Their records may be similar, but the roles are very different. Klinger opened exclusively, yet his SR was a touch over 120. Hodge batted mainly in the middle order - he opened once - and his SR was pushing 130, playing in the middle order, away from the powerplays, etc. I'm surprised they've gone to Hodge, to be completely honest, but for that middle order spot, there's no-one in the BBL in better form...
Dan Ced
Roar Rookie
I thought as far as BBL form goes this season, that Klinger deserved a shot ahead of Hodge.. ..but then again CricAUS seem to take notice of form then can't fit the player in for a year (i.e. Doolan, who has done nothing since that Aus A knock) If they were picking players on BBL02 form Hodge should've been one of the first, maybe this is just payback for that golden season. I wish him well.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
One of the best in the world, a great call by the selectors. Hodge seems to retain an elegance and poise at the crease that aesthetically is often absent in the crash, bang, wallop of 20/20 cricket. One of the best things about 20/20 cricket though is that its keeping good, older players in the game. Even Brad Hogg at 42 is preforming well.