Brad Hogg of the Perth Scorchers has been selected in Australia’s 15-man World Twenty20 squad to play in Bangladesh starting at the end of March.
Brad Hogg
The selection caps a remarkable week for Hogg, who helped the Scorchers defeat the Sydney Sixers at the SCG in a nailbiting KFC Big Bash League semi-final last Wednesday, turned 43 on Thursday, before being named Man of the Match in Friday’s title-winning effort against the Hobart Hurricanes at #TheFurnace.
Hogg ended BBL|03 with nine wickets from his 10 games at an average 24.78, operating at a tight 6.19 runs an over.
“I was thinking about it today and I’ve probably had one of the best weeks of my life,” Hogg said. “Not only was it my birthday, but winning a semi-final and a final at home, at #TheFurnace, especially after the West Australian public got right behind us and filled out the stadium five games in a row this year and six games last year, it was just a magnificent experience, not just for me, but for the whole Scorchers campaign.
“I’ve got a great bunch of teammates behind me and coaches as well - Justin Langer, Griff (Adam Griffith), Cade Harvey and the physios for getting me on the park.
“It’s been an amazing ride and hopefully it goes for another couple of years.
“The 2003 World Cup was probably the moment of my life, getting the Baggy Green was another one and the win for the Perth Scorchers the other night was up there in the top three experiences.
“Getting picked for Australia is an honour, I appreciate it,” Hogg continued. “I know that there’s thousands of people around Australia, hundreds of thousands of people around Australia, that would love that opportunity.
“I’ve got to make sure I do appreciate that and if we win the T20 tournament, then it’ll be up there in the top four.”
Cheeky
“John (Chairman of Selectors John Inverarity) rang me up yesterday and I must admit, I was a bit cheeky with it,” Hogg continued. “Shaun (Marsh) has obviously gone over there with (Shane Watson injured) and I said, ‘So, John, has (Nathan) Lyon gone down and you need another spinner for the Test team?’
“He said, ‘Don’t get too far ahead of yourself, settle down mate, but you’ve been selected for the World T20 team’.
“I’ve probably had the best life anyone could have.”
Langer
“I’m thrilled for Hoggy,” WACA coach Justin Langer enthused. “He’s a 43-year-old going on 13, but that’s probably why they picked him; his energy is infectious.
“He’s great to have around the group, but more importantly his bowling’s been sublime.
“He had one poor game (this BBL season) and for a leg spinner, that in itself is unbelievable,” he added. “He didn’t bowl very well at the MCG, but the other seven or eight games he played were incredible.
“He’s at the top of his game and he, Brad Hodge and Brad Haddin, they’re an inspiration to everyone to show that age is not a barrier.
“I thought that if Australia kept going down the path of rewarding performance and picking the best players, well he was the best player in the BBL, so I think it’s a great selection.”
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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