Megan Hustwaite: Mascara Tears
Typically overcast Melbourne weather set the scene for my moment of mourning at the weekend. Brad Hodge was playing his final First Class game for Victoria and I was on hand at the MCG to praise the run-making god.
Unfortunately there wasn’t much fan fare. No laps of honour, moving tributes or deafening applause, although he did receive a standing ovation from the 54 people in attendance (that number includes players, working media and ground staff)The little right-hander has been a constant in my life for the past 17 years. I was six when he debuted for the Bushrangers in 1993-94 and I’ve grown up watching him dominate the domestic competition.
Committing to Brad, as a fan, has come with many peaks and troughs.Incredible highs like his countless centuries in all forms of the domestic game, his long-awaited Australian debut, his signature double century against South Australia in Perth and cheering `Hodgey’ along with the entire MCG when he played his first One Day International in front of a home crowd.
The god awful low was namely his omission from the national team after four fails but nothing hurt more than him peeling off score after score and be snubbed by Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch. This fired me up more than anything else and god help anyone who tried to debate the issue with me because they came off second best.
The selection issue developed into a passionate Victorian debate then became a farce. How could Hodge be in such form but not be in the Australian team? Why was their out-of-touch batsmen filling what should’ve been his spot? Dressing room differences, team politics or perceived flaws? We’ll never know.
My admiration for Brad Hodge is based on his uncanny ability to score runs heavily for the most of his career. I admire him as a person, his honesty and generosity in giving his time to others – including me. Here are two examples.
In January I travelled to a tiny town in south west Victoria called Warrion. Population not very much at all.It was Premier league’s country round and Melbourne was taking on Prahran who had spinner Bryce McGain returning from injury en route to playing for Australia.
Hodge was playing for Melbourne and it was just a few days after he was left out of the national One Day and Twenty20 teams for the summer series against New Zealand and South Africa. He responded to that news by smashing 73 off 43 balls in a Twenty20 game for the Vics’ that evening.
Back at Warrion, I asked him for an interview and he was only too happy to oblige. That’s Brad. So after he batted we sat at the back of the old clubrooms and sipped tea while discussing a wide range of topics. He was delightful.
Another moment I will treasure was following Victoria’s Sheffield Shield win last summer. We shared a drink with 12th man Lloyd Mash and some fellow scribes amid celebrations the night of the victory.
That season and final by the Bushrangers was something spectacular. It was a privilege to report on their campaign and share it in a very small way with Hodge who played a big hand in the success.
He will continue to play the abbreviated forms for Victoria in hope of representing Australia in next year’s World Cup. But First Class cricket is what it’s all about and my heart sunk and my eyes welled with tears as Bradley John Hodge walked from the MCG for the last time. (Thank goodness for oversized sunglasses and a last-minute decision to lay off the eye liner)
The state’s games record holder and most prolific run scorer is one of the best batsmen this country’s seen. He was a victim of a powerful Australian team but always delivered with the bat and was gracious.
Well played, Hodgey.
Fast Fact
The ‘doosra’ is a rare and tricky bowling delivery in which the ball spins in the opposite direction to that for an off-break in an ...
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LOVE this! You are very funny Megan - hope you didn't have panda eyes from all your tears!!
Very entertaining column!
Megan
This is great
Such a great read!!!
Hodge - Australia's unluckiest cricketer!!!
What is your next piece on?
I was the guy that took that photo for you of hodgey when he was batting!
Hi Daniel! Great to see you on here and thanks very much for the photo!
haha no worries megan. thought i'd come on and check it out. great peice. it was nice to meet you!
I've put up the photos on Facebook, if you add me Daniel you will be able to see your great photography!
Worst blog ever