I am sad that Brad Hodge has decided to retire from first class cricket, thus ending any potential engagements as Ricky’s understudy.
Sure I like to take the piss when it comes to Bradley, but he doesn’t make it hard, does he?
Brad never met a microphone/reporter/human/robot he didn’t like to tell that he should be playing for Australia.
He even tried for stand up comedy duties of recent times, with his lawn bowls bit.
The man leaves test cricket with a double hundred against South Africa and an average of 55. He also added 17000 odd runs in first class cricket.
Brad was one of those that was seen to have a weakness, but not allowed to prove that he didn’t, instead he and his test average of 55 were stamped “shit outside off”. Perhaps he could get work counselling young Phil.
I was there at the start with Brad, I remember his breakthrough year that had crusty old Victorians giddy with excitement at this teenage batting prodigy, but I was also there when he got dropped, was all but forgotten, and those many seasons when he only average in the 20s.
Victoria’s fortunes were often in his hands. In the late 90s, when he was shit, so was Victoria, but the bigger his ego and output became, the better Victoria was.
In the year 2000 he was re-born and his ego was finally fulfilled as he became the Brad Hodge we know now.
He had that shocking Victorian trait of starting an innings so nervously you can’t believe he will ever come good, but when he does, and those effortless cover drives and flicks off the pads come in you can’t see how anyone could get him out.
The Herald Sun ran a picture of him yesterday that makes him look like some fresh faced politician looking for pre-selection in a State Labour seat. Even down to the touch of grey coming through. When a cricketer stops dying his hair, you know the end is coming soon.
I may like taking the piss when it comes to Brad, but to give a bloke six tests who bats like him makes me think the selectors do even more.
Well played Brad, I can’t wait for the quotes now that you are free of corporate restraint.
We will miss the Ego.
Added to the pile of cricketers including Jamie Siddons, Stuart Law and 0.75 of Darren Lehmann, who never played the international cricket they probably should of.
Prodigous talent who could suddenly have periods where he just couldn’t bat. Not a Mike Hussey ‘holy shit how far down the toilet is my career – whoops I just left one’ out of form, but Hodge literally did not know how to bat for periods of his career.
But, like getting every question correct in a quiz is genius, so is getting every question wrong. Everything in the middle is just average. Hodge was never average.
I have a question. Australia lieterally mass produces cricket (if no sporting) talents. So someone, somwhere deserving will be left out no? It’s unfair, but its also unavoidable.
CM the question is ???? still waiting..
Well, Hodge was definitely a good bat losing out to some better competition. He shud hv got his dues when “others” were in shitty form. But, sadly that wasn to happen. Hodge’s game suits the Aussie conditions, so he cud very well be used in Eng, SAF, NZ everywhere else he wud hv flopped. Whatever Brad had to say in the interviews was very touchy but, a whole lot true. He may get a call for a test or a few more but, he wants many, not one here-one there. In short not worth it anymore. Good luck for the T20′s!
.-= Mock Wah´s last blog ..Bad N.E.W.S =-.
The Australian cricket selectors sucks big time. Brad Hodge such an amazing player such a talent to watch. Selectors shown full mercy for Andrew Symonds who has been in trouble a lot of time got more opportunities than Hodge. It’s a shame on selectors to left him out like this. I feel sorry for Brad, selectors bunch of arrogant personals you all suck
CM, you’re right – not about the mass-production :-P , but about someone always missing out. There are so many quality players that they just won’t all get a chance. Darren Lehman was a good example, he was a good player but who was going to make way for him? One of the Waugh brothers? Ponting? Gilly? Not bloody likely.
I am a Lancashire supporter and really like Hodge, but he is a Victorian so how much chance did he really have?
.-= Dustbinner´s last blog ..Things that happened while I was elsewhere … =-.
Funny how non-NSW fans drone on and on about only NSW getting called up – there are actually only three NSW”s in the current team – the rest came from elsewhere.
3 NSW
3 QLD
2 WA
2 TAS
1 VIC
0 SA
a couple of pseudo-Blues like Horrie and TWatto pushed out the genuine articles.
And didn’t Katich come from WA Too?
Anon, Still alot of people with light blue caps in the set up, 6 players with the right colour cap out of 11. Regardless of where they were born. And I doubt Hauritz would have been picked out of club cricket had he been playing in South Australia.
Mock, the question was “someone, somewhere deserving will be left out no?” Yeah, I should have worded it better.
It was in response to Hewy’s comment about all those who should have played test cricket but didn’t.
Aussie should make IPL clone and make the Telecast free and let viewers get addicted to the quality of cricket. You never know it could be as famous as NBA.
All – thanks for the support. Good to see real cricket fans that are in awe of me. The longer format of the game will miss me
alex – perhaps they can, but all want the big bucks, players included.. so no free lunch for anyone, viewers included :)
.-= Mock Wah´s last blog ..Not so LATEST Ooohs & Aaahs =-.
ausralia sucks its selections panel fucks
bloody goons whom we have ruled
have no sense in any decesion
we will still reclaim ashes whether a mother-fucker like hodge or ponting is dropped or doomed
Fucker, it is important that I say this … you are a credit to all of us Aussies.
I am in awe of you.
.-= Dustbinner´s last blog ..Vijay’s Diary =-.
OMG!!i never knew Brad Hodge retired!!this lalitmodi-crazy Indian media did not find that important!
I will miss Brad Hodge…and used to enjoy his fielding.2 of his catches in the deep i will never forget.To dismiss Kevin Peiterson at Old Trafford and in the t20 semifinal vs India,to dismiss Gambhir!that was a splendid one.