Brad Hogg on verge of a world record as Australia select T20 veterans for World Cup

Brad Hogg could become the oldest player to play a T20 international if he is selected in the playing XI in Bangladesh

Brad Hogg could become the oldest man ever to play a T20 International after he was called up for Australia’s World T20 squad which will travel to Bangladesh next month.

Veteran batsman Brad Hodge was also part of the Australian squad which boasts of a lot of experience. Wicket keeper Brad Haddin and batsman Cameron White also made the squad.

Young leg spinner James Muirhead, on the back of an impressive performance against England on his T20 International debut, also earned a call-up to the squad.

Hogg, who just turned 43 last week, last played for Australia in the semifinal defeat at the hands of West Indies in the 2012 World T20 in Sri Lanka.

The left-arm chinaman though has kept putting in impressive displays in domestic competitions for the Perth Scorchers. Hogg was a vital cog in the Perth Scorchers’ march to the Big Bash League(BBL) title this year and his experience could come in handy as Australia attempt to claim their maiden title in the shortest format of the game.

The oldest man ever to play a T20 international was Kenya’s Steve Tikolo, who played against Canada in Sharjah in November, aged 42. Hogg, having celebrated his 43rd birthday last week, could very well break that record next month in Bangladesh considering the slow, turning pitches that will be on offer at the World T20.

Hodge, the highest run-getter in the T20 format, had been away from the national team for six years before he got picked for the T20 series against England last month. The middle-order batsman, 39 himself, had a solid season with the Melbourne stars in the BBL scoring 219 runs at an average of 36.50.

“We have selected a squad that has plenty of experience playing the Twenty20 format in the sub-continent, which augers well for the challenges of Bangladesh,” national selector John Inverarity said. “Brad Hogg comes into the squad . Once again Brad bowled very well for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League and many batsmen found him difficult to read. Despite his age, his enthusiasm and fitness are undiminished.

“Brad Hodge has made a great number of Twenty20 runs on the sub-continent and played many match defining innings there. He will provide the squad with a great deal of calm experience and knowledge. His inclusion is just reward for his outstanding performances in this form of the game over many seasons.”

Speaking about the performance of the T20 team against England and the selection of Muirhead, Inverarity said : “The national selection panel was pleased with the way the side performed in those Twenty20 matches where they played with great confidence and authority.”

“Of those performances we were highly impressed with James Muirhead who displayed a good temperament, excellent control and a legbreak that turns significantly. He is an exciting inclusion.”

Australia World T20 squad :

George Bailey (capt), Daniel Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.