Hodge fights for Ashes spot

Brad Hodge © Getty Images

Brad Hodge claims he knows what he needs to reclaim his place in the Australia Test side his place for the Ashes series.

Hodge, dropped just two Tests after a magnificent double century in Perth and boasting an average of 58.42, would not divulge the weakness - which many believe to be an inability to combat quality fast-bowling - but he has vowed to win his spot back.

"For me, I had to find some sort of closure and find out a reason why I was out so I can move on," he said.

"I'm lucky enough I've found that answer and I'm about to rectify it and attack the summer with great ambition," he said.

Having had to wait 12 years to make the step up from first-class to Test level, Hodge admits there was a period in the past when he would have been content merely to win a baggy green cap.

But now he has his sights set on a lengthy Test career.

"I thought one day I'd be very happy to play five Test matches, but unfortunately there's a burning ambition in my body which suggests that's not true," he said.

"I feel very unsatisfied just playing five Test matches - I want to continue and play hopefully 30, 40 Test matches."

Since being dropped, the Victorian scored a century in last season's Pura Cup final and had his county season for Lancashire ended prematurely by a neck injury, but not before compiling 372 runs at an impressive average of 74.4.

Not included in Australia's 14-man squad for the Champions Trophy in India, Hodge will begin his summer with a domestic one-day match for Victoria against Western Australia in Perth.

"If you're playing for Victorian Bushrangers, although you're happy and satisfied and trying to win for Victoria, your ambition is to be at the top level,” he said.

"So that's in theory just a stepping stone to get where you want to.

"So if you've got the baggy green or the canary yellow hat on and you're playing, then you should be happy or you're in a good frame of mind and that's where you want to be."