Ex-Test batsman Brad Hodge is considering a late bid for Ashes selection and Victoria captain Cameron White says the 38-year-old is a chance to return to state cricket if national selectors show some interest.
Victoria’s Hodge hasn’t played a first-class game since 2009 but has been in excellent form in the BBL domestic T20 competition with 342 runs at an average of 48.85 for Melbourne Stars.
The right-hander is playing T20 in Bangladesh where he made a cheeky series of comments about a possible state comeback next month with a view to playing in the Ashes series in England in mid-2013.
Hodge played the last of his six Tests in 2008 and boasts an average of 55.88.
“Would I like to play for Australia? Of course. Everyone would,” Hodge has told cricinfo.com.
“I probably deserved to play a little bit more when I had the opportunity. It seems that there seems to be a lot more rotating players than when I was in my prime.
“I am still playing good enough to represent Australia I think.
“I am considering after this tournament, to go back to four-day cricket and have a quick shot at trying to make the Ashes team.”
White says if Hodge is going to be considered for Shield cricket again, the Bushrangers need an indication from the national selection panel that the veteran is in their sights.
This seems a remote possibility after national chairman of selectors John Inverarity said on Monday a national recall for Hodge was unlikely.
“If there is an intention and the Australian selectors are showing some interest, they should let the Victorian hierarchy know and we can get Brad back into the system,” White told reporters on Tuesday.
“He’s still one of the best players in the country. There’s no doubt if Brad wanted to do it and the Australian selectors thought it was of some point, that would definitely be an option for us.
“It would be one for the ages if Hodgey did come back. There’s no doubt that Brad’s cricket ability, that wouldn’t be the question.
“It’s just whether the people above want to make it happen or not.”