Hodge slams Aussie selectors

Brad Hodge has impressed for Australia when he has been given an opportunity

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Brad Hodge may have jeopardised his Australia future by criticising the selection policy for the upcoming limited-overs matches against South Africa.

Hodge, 34, was overlooked for the 13-man squads for the five one-day internationals later this month and the two Twenty20 games, the first of which takes place on Sunday.

Having won the man-of-the-match award for his 73 in Victoria’s convincing Twenty20 win over Western Australia last night, Hodge suggested he had better credentials than some of the players selected.

"The idea to be selected for Australia is to score runs isn't it? And that's what I've done,” said Hodge, who has hit 264 runs at an average of 52.8 in six Ford Ranger Cup matches this season and is the leading run-scorer in the Twenty20 Big Bash.

“I think that if you look at the criteria there's some guys in that side who mightn't have done as well as I have. Unfortunately, that's the way it is.

"As I say, the criteria is to score runs and I've done that heavily for a number of years. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working for me.”

Hodge’s relationship with the national selectors has been tested in the past. In 2006 he was dropped from the Test side two games after scoring an unbeaten double hundred, and he has won just six caps despite averaging 55.88, with one ton and two half-centuries, from those Tests.

His last appearance was in the first Test against West Indies last year, and he admits it might turn out to be his last.

"Maybe I'll play for Australia in lawn bowls in the future, maybe tennis, maybe rowing, I'm not sure yet,” Hodge added.

“(I'm) not sure about cricket. I hope not but maybe if this sport doesn't work I'll try another one.

"I'm available for selection. If anyone wants to ring up Cricket Victoria I'm sure my phone number will be available somewhere along the line.

"I think they must have lost their phone, the selectors."