"Cricket moving towards globalisation"
espnstar.com’s Rajarshi Gupta spoke exclusively to Australian and Victorian Bushrangers batsman Brad Hodge.
There is something about Hodge. For starters, he never gives up and has a streak of resilience in him that takes you back to the old days, where cricket was played hard between gentlemen.
Times may have changed but not the way some of modern day cricketers still play the game. Hodge fits into that bracket. An old-school cricketer in a new age space-ship. Therefore he knows his words.
“Cricket is moving towards globalisation, mate. We are moving forward. It’s all happening.”
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Hodge, appearing in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 for the Bushrangers also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and was a crucial cog in the wheel for the Australian national team. Who fits the role of a global cricketer better?
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“IPL has changed the face of cricket and now the Airtel CL T20 looks destined for big things. These are truly exciting times,” the KKR man said, with an air of authority that befits a player of his stature.
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Hodgey was dropped from the Aussie squad after averaging 55.58 from his six Tests and at 34, the right-handed middle order batsman still has not given up hope.
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“I will just do the best I can. That’s about it I guess.”
That is the same attitude he translates on the field, no matter who he plays for. The journey in the Airtel CL T20 is bound to get tougher with some of the best T20 teams in the world not willing to give an inch.
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“It does not matter how good the other teams are. Victoria have a good winning record and we are confident of our prospects as we progress in the tournament.”
Hodge, like other foreign players conceded, it will be hard to stop the ‘Indian momentum’, especially once the crowds start rooting for the IPL teams.
“However, it is important to stay focussed and get on top of the crowd.”
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The Airtel CL T20 is at its peak now. Teams have drawn the battle lines and Victoria Bushrangers face Wayamba today to determine their fate in the tournament and Hodge like always, will be expected to stand up again.
Far away from home, Hodge knows his team, undoubtedly a strong and powerful unit, will be up against it.
That should not deter the Bushrangers though, for Hodge epitomises the grit which has the built the legacy and aura of Australian cricket.
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