Brad Hodge - Australian Career

Australian Career

After a long time waiting for an international debut, he finally debuted for the Australian team against the West Indies in November 2005 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart during the 2005–06 Test Series, becoming the 394th player to wear the baggy green for Australia.

Hodge scored his maiden Test century for Australia against South Africa in Perth on 19 December 2005. After ending the third day on 91 not out Hodge displayed some nervousness in media interviews about reaching his century, but by the end of the innings he managed to finish with an unbeaten score of 203. This innings was criticised by some Australian fans who felt that captain Ricky Ponting declared too late in allowing Hodge to chase his double century. This criticism came after Australia did not bowl out South Africa in the 4th innings (despite having 120 overs to do so), with the match ending in a draw.

Hodge later made his One-day International debut and after two initial modest scores he scored a half-century. This earned him a recall for somes games against South Africa in the VB Series, however he failed to capitalise and was dropped from the ODI side.

Hodge was dropped after only five tests in the team, and only three tests after scoring his double century against South Africa. The selectors stated that the decision was made on the back of a poor Pura Cup season by Hodge, averaging around 25 for the summer when the team was selected (he finished the season with an average of 33.3). The decision was unpopular amongst Victorian fans, particularly since his replacement, Damien Martyn, had averaged only 23.7 in the same Pura Cup season. He did get back, however, albeit more than two years later when included in Australia's squad that toured the West Indies in May/June 2008. On 22 May in what proved to be his final test, he made 67 and 27 with the bat.

Brad Hodge made 99 not out off 86 balls to steer Australia to victory against New Zealand on 4 February 2007 when he was called into the team because Andrew Symonds had pulled out with a torn biceps.

On 18 February 2007 Brad Hodge scored 97 not out off 86 balls as he helped Australia to 4/336 off their 50 overs.

On 18 March 2007, in World Cup, Hodge scored his maiden one day century against Holland. He scored 123 off just 89 balls including 7 sixes and 8 fours in a record 4th wicket partnership with Michael Clarke.

On 24 March 2007, Hodge was dropped from the Australian ODI side starting 11 in the World Cup after making a century and being named man of the match in the sides last outing against cricketing minnows the Netherlands. Andrew Symonds, after recovering from a shoulder injury, was named as his replacement. Hodge later returned to the starting 11 when Shane Watson was injured.

He played for Australia in a Twenty20 against India on 1 February 2008.

In December 2010 Hodge was named in Australia's initial World Cup side for the following year. However he was not named in the final squad.

In 2012, reflecting on his lack of opportunities to play for Australia, Hodge said: "Selections have puzzled me for a number of years and continue to puzzle me... I have played the best cricket I can in Test, four day, one day and T20 but for some reason it has not been good enough. That's life."

On January 2012 Hodge announced his decision to retire from One-day cricket and also to retire from Victoria. He said in an interview:"I think it's just time to step aside and let some other guys come through, I'm obviously delighted to have played this long. I guess like anyone in the world, once you've done something for so long it's hard to let go"