Australia Cricket Players
Bradley Hodge
Bradley John Hodge (born December 29, 1974 in Sandringham, Victoria) is an Australian and Victorian cricketer. His high school was St. Bede's College in Mentone, Victoria. A naturally talented cricketer, he is a right hand batsman who bats in the middle order. He is also a part time right arm off spin bowler.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 December 19, 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 bowl them out), 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 with a recall looking very unlikely.
Despite his solid Test performances, Hodge was dropped after only 5 Tests in the team and only 3 Tests after scoring a double century for Australia's 2005/06 Test tour of South Africa. This decision was made on the back of some poor Pura Cup performances by Hodge, who averaged around 25 for the season. However, he was dropped in favour of Damien Martyn, whose Pura Cup averages for the season were even lower, and whose most recent Test series included an average of 19 in The Ashes series. Hodge had averaged 58 from his only 5 Tests in the side but in a surprise selection it was decided that Martyn would be selected based on his reputation as a prolific run scorer in past seasons for Australia.
Brad Hodge made 99 not out off 86 balls to steer Australia to victory against New Zealand on the 4th of February, 2007 when he was called into the team because Andrew Symonds had pulled out with a torn bicep.
On February 18, 2007 Brad Hodge scored 97 not out off 86 balls as he helped Australia to 4/336 off their 50 overs.
On March 18, 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 March 24, 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. 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.