Brad Hodge is an Australian cricketer who had a successful career spanning over two decades. He was born on December 29, 1974, in Sandringham, Victoria, Australia. Hodge was known for his excellent batting skills, particularly in the shorter formats of the game. He represented Australia in limited-overs cricket and also had a prolific domestic career.
Hodge made his international debut for Australia in January 2005 in an ODI against South Africa. He had a slow start to his international career but soon established himself as a key middle-order batsman. Hodge played 6 Test matches for Australia, scoring 503 runs at an average of 55.88, including 3 centuries and 1 half-century. However, despite his impressive performances, he struggled to cement his place in the Australian Test side and was often overlooked for selection.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Hodge represented Australia in 25 matches, accumulating 786 runs at an average of 35.72, including 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries. His highest score in ODIs was an unbeaten 123 against the West Indies in 2006.
Hodge had a significant impact in the shortest format of the game, particularly in T20 cricket. He was a highly sought-after player in various domestic T20 leagues around the world. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he played for teams like the Kolkata Knight Riders (2008-2010), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011), and Rajasthan Royals (2012-2013). Hodge was known for his explosive batting and ability to finish matches. He scored over 5000 runs in T20 cricket and held multiple records in the format.
In addition to his international and IPL career, Hodge had a remarkable domestic career in Australia. He represented the Victorian Bushrangers in the Sheffield Shield (first-class cricket) and played for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL). Hodge holds numerous records in Australian domestic cricket, including being the leading run-scorer in Sheffield Shield history.
Hodge announced his retirement from international cricket in 2008 but continued to play domestic T20 leagues around the world. He retired from all forms of cricket in 2018, marking the end of a successful and impactful career.
Overall, Brad Hodge is regarded as one of the finest T20 cricketers of his generation. His ability to score runs quickly and adapt to different conditions made him a valuable asset in the shortest format of the game. Although he did not have an extensive international career, Hodge's contributions to Australian and domestic cricket are widely recognized and respected.
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