Brad Hodge to retire from First Class cricket

eddiesmith · 30 Nov 2009, 08:56

Brad Hodge quits first-class cricket | Herald Sun

A real shame that one of the best batsmen in Australia is set to retire a few years earlier than he should due to losing the thrill basically as it doesnt matter what he does, the selectors will continue to ignore him and he is obviously happy in Victoria and doesnt want to move to become a test player like others have

It will be disappointing to not be able to see Hodgey out in a Shield game after this year, he will stick around for the shorter forms of the game but it seems that with nothing to play for and needing to spend more time at home he wont be pulling on the whites again after Christmas. He went missing during the recent Shield game for family reasons and according to Brad his wife has some health problems which have likely brought on this earlier than expected retirement

One of Australias best ever first class batsmen, he will be sorely missed and I look forward to his autobiography in the future

But a good opportunity for some of Victorias fine young batsmen to get a regular gig in the side

DizzywasRobbed · 30 Nov 2009, 09:18

How much truth is there to the story that Brad Hodge, the batsmen, was not the problem.

Brad Hodge, the team member, the person, was a different story, hence his lack of selection?

But yes unfortunate, saw him make his double ton at the WACA.

**Caesar** · 30 Nov 2009, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiesmith

I look forward to his autobiography in the future

God help us. That is going to be one whiney pile of prose.

**a for effort** · 30 Nov 2009, 17:32

Why Won't Those Jerks Pick Me!?

by Brad Hodge

Sober Symonds · 30 Nov 2009, 17:55

You could hardly blame the bloke for venting his spleen - even though my suspicion is that he would still hold back because he doesn't know enough about the real reasons behind his rejection. How would you go as a professional for 15 years performing at a sustained level of excellence and be constantly ignored at the one level you aspire to achieve? I don't know either of you, A-for or Caesar, but I reckon you'd be inclined to blow off a bit of steam rather than hold it all in. Especially if people are interested in hearing it and it makes you a dollar!

Boris · 30 Nov 2009, 18:35

There are lots of players in Australia that could easily make the International side if there was a spot. That is because Australia can field a Second XI or maybe even a Third XI that could win against over half the Test playing nations, and put up a damn good fight against the others.

When you have a middle order of Ponting, Hussey and Clarke, I would probably say his non-selection was quite that, there was a lack of space. Could he have been as good or better than any of those three? Maybe, but that's just unfortunate.

At least there are a lot of people that will recognise him as a true great of the game despite never getting that call up, we all know how he would have gone if he had gotten the chance.

The only thing I can give him negative criticism for is not playing for his state. There are some people out there that call their state home and would do anything for it. I remember Matthew Hayden saying that Queensland was his home state and is the team he would do the most for. Hodge would have probably known two years ago that he wasn't going to get the call up, and should have made that dirty little team down south his home, the team he calls his and the one he will become legendary within. There is more to playing for Australia, and he should have settled for the next best thing. I would give anything to play for my state, let alone my country.

LIONS then DAYLIGHT · 30 Nov 2009, 19:42

Exactly Boris, I didn't mind Hodge as a player, but our middle order was strong for most of Hodge's career, he was simply seen as a player to call on if a Ponting got injured.

Hodge had a shocking one day series a few years back that probably ruled him out of playing ODI cricket, unfortunately his test career never really took but that was more a reflection on the talent in the Australian side rather then the ability of Hodge.

Boris · 30 Nov 2009, 19:45

Let's not take anything away from him on his retirement. Celebrate what he has done for his state and his country, he kept the boys in the international team very honest because of the immense pressure he put on them.

Well done Hodgey.

LIONS then DAYLIGHT · 30 Nov 2009, 20:01

Agree, but lets not turn it into a case of Hodge retiring because his test career is over, I believe his wife's health was the main reason.

Boris · 30 Nov 2009, 20:03

Family always has to be first.