Australian batting coach Michael Di Venuto quietly announced this week that he will be stepping down from the role following the completion of the T20 World Cup. Fortunately for the national side, there is a perfect replacement for Di Venuto, and his name is Brad Hodge.
Hodge recently brought his stellar career to a close, following his appointment as head coach of the new Indian Premier League franchise Gujarat Lions.
After debuting for Victoria as a 19-year-old in 1993, Hodge’s astounding longevity and continuing strong form saw him selected for the 2014 T20 World Cup at age 39.
The man has done it all. Test cricket. One day internationals. T20 internationals. 19 years of state cricket. Nine years of county cricket with three different sides. IPL. Big Bash League. Pakistan Super League. Bangladesh Premier League.
The breadth of his experience is unrivalled in Australia.
While Hodge recently took up a coaching position with the prestigious Haileybury College in Melbourne, the lure of a role in the national setup may be enough to draw him back onto the international scene.
Aside from his long and successful career, Brad is also a no-nonsense, straight-talking guy who remains down to earth. I witnessed this first hand during BBL01, when I had the privilege of chatting with Hodge on a few occasions while working for the Melbourne Renegades. His approach to the game is the perfect combination of relaxed and focused, which would complement the Darren Lehmann regime nicely.
Hodge also demonstrated his coaching and leadership prowess this summer in his first season with the Adelaide Strikers, performing well with the bat while assisting greatly in the rapid development of Travis Head and Alex Ross, among others. His ability to relate to players young and old would be a great asset to a national side in the midst of a generational shift.
The choice for our next batting coach is simple. Put Brad Hodge in the role, and watch Steve Smith’s side continue to flourish.
horse
Guest
They could hire Mitchell Pearce as lifestyle coach. He's got plenty of free time now.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Tub is busy recording air conditioner ads. Maybe Mike Veletta is available?
Don Freo
Guest
He's too busy, apparently, being a selector.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Surely Geoff Marsh would make a better bowling coach, Don.
bryan
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't be surprised if Justin Langer is appointed as crown prince.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd chase Tubby Taylor for bowling, Bruce Reid for the batsmen and go the import with fielding...Phil Tufnell.
aggregated drupe
Guest
Blewett will get it.
Pepper Jack
Guest
Hodge will make more money and get more experience by being a coach in the traveling T20 circus. Plus, he can still play in the MCL, which may clash with Australian duties
horse
Guest
Hodge is most likely by far. Hussey would be good but will find commentating dollars to hard to refuse. Agree with Daniel that it's too soon for Rogers, although he will be excellent in due course.
Ian
Guest
If he doesn't go into coaching heavily, I'd like to see him turn up on TV or radio as a commentator. He certainly knows the game, can speak coherently, is funny, etc etc
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I think Hodge would be the best replacement for the reasons I've outlined, but that certainly doesn't mean other candidates would not be successful if appointed. Australia certainly has a wealth of cricketing talent, past and present.
jameswm
Roar Guru
How can we say Hodge is the best candidate, if we don't know who the other candidates are? Apart from Rogers as someone mentioned, Mike Hussey could be another recently retired cricketer who could be good. And don't rule out non-FC cricketers. Rod Macqueen for example never played test rugby, but was a top coach.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Rogers would be a great choice as well. He certainly has a broad range of experience, and a great temperament to teach current players. I do wonder if being such a recent member of the side may blur the roles of player and coach somewhat though.
jamesb
Guest
What about Chris Rogers as batting coach? He helped shape the career of Warner. His patience and temperament as a batsman were qualities that Rogers could teach to the next generation of batsman. Sure, Hodge would be a good choice. But we shouldn't discount someone like Rogers.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I'd imagine it's close to home. He'd probably be happy to spend more time with his family after years of travelling.
Belles
Guest
Well called, Daniel. There can't be too many coaches of international test cricket who retired with a batting average of 58.42
D Fitz
Guest
What motivated Hodge to take on the low level Haileybury College coaching role ?
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I guess it'll depend on his longer term career goals. Batting coach can be a great stepping stone to a state or county coaching role. Taking on the IPL and Haileybury roles certainly indicates a desire to move into coaching in the next few years.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
While I agree Daniel, I doubt whether Hodge will take on the Job. At this stage I'd imagine his combination of still T20 Player and Coach in the different Leagues around, I'd imagine his Rumination would currently be significantly more than what he would get from being the Australian Team Batting coach.
noel
Guest
Absolutely Daniel. Hodge is the best candidate by far.