There is absolutely no doubt that Brad Hodge will be forever irked that he was not given a proper opportunity to forge a Test career, says Rodney Hogg.
The 41-year-old who is now only playing the shortest form of the game was only selected for six Tests, a short-lived time in the Baggy Green considering where he averaged 55 with the bat.
It has been suggested by Hogg that a poor relationship with captain Ricky Ponting could have been the reason for his limited time with the national team.
“I think he’d have a hundred gripes, wouldn’t he?” said Hogg on SEN radio.
“He’d have a million gripes, but just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I don’t think he got on with Ricky Ponting, they’re both the same age and came up through the under 19s – there might have been a bit of an axe to grind there.
“He didn’t do it (have a Test career) but now his life’s moving on.”
Hodge has recently been appointed the head coach of new Indian Premier League team Gujarat Lions.
In 252 Twenty20 games Hodge averages 37 with a strike rate of 130 and is considered one of the best hitters in the world.
“He’s made it in India that kid and it’s an amazing story he’s just been appointed the coach of the new franchise in the IPL at the age of 41,” said Hogg.
“As street smarts come Brad Hodge is an absolute superstar in that area a real thinker on the game, we saw that with the BBL commentary as captain.”
Aussies caught up in a Kiwi swing
Hogg believes that playing on lifeless wickets against mostly poor opposition for much of the Australian summer led to the disastrous batting performance against New Zealand in the first ODI match.
“Certainly they moved it around a little bit,” said Hogg of the Kiwi bowlers.
“Our batsmen have had a pretty good run with flat wickets so all of a sudden we got on a pitch that’s got a little bit in it and we’re playing like we’re millionaires.
“The worst preparation you’ll ever have, they caught us with our pants down.”