Hodge’s lack of versatility behind World Cup snub, says Hilditch

MELBOURNE - Cricket Australia selection chairman Andrew Hilditch has suggested that Brad Hodge’s lack of versatility had this time proven his undoing.

Despite topping the run-scorer’s list in the domestic one-day series this summer with 494 runs at 82.33, Hodge was omitted from the 15-man squad for the 50-over World Cup starting in the Indian sub-continent from February 19.

Just as mysterious have been Hodge’s repeated setbacks at the national selection table over an 18-year domestic career that has netted 17,084 first-class runs at an average of 48.81.

“Brad is playing a role at domestic level and is doing fantastically well at it, but we are really pleased with our top order,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hilditch, as saying.

“You try and pick your core team, 11 or 12 players, that you think you will need to win the tournament and then you have three or four players where you need balance to try and cover issues that are on tour,” he added.

Hodge was part of the national team for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

The 36-year-old, who was filling in for injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds, had notched a ton against the Netherlands, but was dropped when Symonds was cleared to return.

When his chance for redemption arrived later that year in a seven-match series in India, Hodge’s scoresheet read 0, 3, 3, 17, (did not bat), 20 and 16.

Hodge has not played since, despite an avalanche of runs, including 622 runs at 69.11 with four centuries last season. (ANI)