Hodge out of pre-Ashes county cricket
Michael Gleeson
July 20, 2006

DEPOSED Test batsman Brad Hodge will not return to England to play county cricket after sustaining a bulging disc in his neck playing for Australia A in the Top End tour.

Battling to reclaim his Test spot for the summer's Ashes tour, the chunky right-hander has numbness in his hand and acute pain in his shoulder from the disc injury, which doctors have said will keep him out for five to six weeks.

"That's it. No county cricket," Hodge said. "It's a bulging disc which is pressing on the nerve which has caused all the problems. I haven't been able to feel my arm, (had) knife pains through my shoulder. I just couldn't bat so that was the problem, which was a shame because I was playing pretty well."

Hodge has been in fine touch since losing his Test spot. He made a century in the Pura Cup final before averaging 101 in six county matches and 89 in six one-day matches for Lancashire.

In the Top End Series he rescued Australia in the first match with 123 against New Zealand A. He made 56 in the second match against India A, enduring the pain in his shoulder.

"When I was up there what (chairman of selectors Andrew) Hilditch and the selectors would have seen they would have been impressed with … If they don't know what I can do after 120 first-class games then you are going to be wasting time," Hodge said.

Hodge was content that the enforced rest at home with his newborn son Jesse would be as beneficial as a season of county cricket.

"Instead of coming back maybe a little bit fatigued from England playing a lot of cricket, come September I will be fresh and ready to go," he said. "It would be great to be part of it. You never really know what is going to happen come the time of the first Test.

"I am confident I will play a part in the Ashes … whether it is the first Test or not I am not sure, but you would like to think I am a pretty good chance."

Comes across as a real banker.

Aye, but it all stems from the years of selection bias against us...

Why is Hodge hated so? Doesn't seem to have done a lot wrong.

But look what happens when they pick a vomit that isn't Warnie?

quote:

But look what happens when they pick a vomit that isn't Warnie?

It's been over seven years since a non-TGM vomit has played in a losing Test team...

Given how few tests we lose and how few non TGM vomits are in the side that's not surprising.

Actually, does Funky count as a vomit? If so, that means it's only been five years.

Na, he's tozzie I think...was no coincidence his career went down the toilet the moment he came back to vomitville.

quote:

Originally posted by Sheikh Rattlenroll:
Na, he's tozzie I think...was no coincidence his career went down the toilet the moment he came back to vomitville.

I think Funky Miller was originally a Sozzie. He certainly played for them first in FC cricket as the Sheikh will realise if her remembers this match at all:

WA legends win 3rd shield on the trot!!!

quote:

Originally posted by GordoninPortsmouth:
I think Funky Miller was originally a Sozzie.

No, he is originally from Vomitland, but had to move to Barreldonia to get a game. Then he went to the Inbreds.

quote:

Originally posted by ojitarian:

quote:

Originally posted by GordoninPortsmouth:
I think Funky Miller was originally a Sozzie.

No, he is originally from Vomitland, but had to move to Barreldonia to get a game. Then he went to the Inbreds.

OK... Thanks for the info.

quote:

Originally posted by ojitarian:

quote:

Originally posted by GordoninPortsmouth:
I think Funky Miller was originally a Sozzie.

No, he is originally from Vomitland, but had to move to Barreldonia to get a game. Then he went to the Inbreds.

I think he was at the cricket academy ...and played for the sozzies while there ...like chuckles and bevo

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sheikh Rattlenroll:
... you would like to think I am a pretty good chance./QUOTE]

Er, no I wouldn't. I hate that - being told what I'd like to think.

You all do, too.