Victoria batsman Brad Hodge is to call time on his first-class career and will play his final four-day game for Victoria against New South Wales later this month.Hodge, capped six times in Tests by Australia, will continue to play limited overs cricket for Victoria and in the Indian Premier League for the Kolkata Knight Riders as he bids to win a place in Australia's 2010 ICC World Twenty20 side.
“I feel the time is right to step down from first-class cricket,” he said in a statement.
“It’s been a wonderful journey, which hopefully has more to go at limited overs and Twenty20 level. I’ve loved every time I’ve pulled on the navy blue cap and it was a dream come true to swap it for a baggy green for the times I did. Playing Test cricket for Australia was an incredible experience and I feel proud and blessed to have had that opportunity.
“Hopefully this decision will allow me to continue playing good cricket and also spend more time with my young family.”
Hodge has scored 17,012 first-class runs for Victoria, Australia, Lancashire, Leicestershire and Durham while he has played 25 One-Day Internationals and eight Twenty20 Internationals for his country.
Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Tony Dodemaide paid tribute to Hodge's contribution to Victoria:
“Brad Hodge has been a champion player for Victoria who has achieved almost every honour available,” he said.
“Throughout his career he has shouldered the bulk of the batting responsibilities, maintaining an excellent record and playing a huge role in Victoria’s success over that time. He’s set high standards for himself and the team and performed strongly at Test level. Hopefully he can add to his appearances at international level and continue to contribute strongly to the Bushrangers in the shorter versions of the game.”
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