Brad Hodge recollects the 'biggest regret' of his cricketing career

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hodge has opened up on one of his most infamous banters. The right-handed batsman took a pot-shot at none other than legendary former Australian cricketer Allan Border. He revealed that it was one of the most bizarre thing which he was part of, as he later asked himself why he is playing the game. Speaking on his Bowlology podcast co-hosted with former fast bowler Damien Fleming, Hodge recalled one of the most scary incidents of his playing career when he had a go at the former great.

Hodge, who is known as one of the most unluckiest cricketers to have donned the baggy green, as he was dropped after scoring a double hundred, said that the eventful day was a bad day for him, as he later realised. One of the most experienced T20 players, Hodge opened the batting for Victoria and he found Border (Queensland) standing at the slips.

I was scared of AB,” Hodge said. “I sledged him. It was a bad day, actually … it was one of those days where I questioned why I was actually playing the game. I managed to open the batting and the great AB was at first slip for the Bulls (Queensland) — and he sledged me.

When Border got under Hodge’s skin

Hodge added that Border kept on chirping between the overs and got under his skin. “Les Stillman (Victoria coach) didn’t think I could bat anywhere else. (He said) ‘if you can get us 20 or 30, that’s better than what you’re going to get anywhere else’. So I opened the batting, I didn’t really want to, I didn’t actually want to show up to the game and then AB sledges me for the best part of 15 overs. It happened at the change of overs, every time he walked from first slip, he’d nail me properly.” he said.

Giving a proper account of the incident, Hodge said “It wasn’t pretty, but AB didn’t say anything on the 15th over, he just walked past,” Hodge said. And I said ‘where are you going grandpa?’

“He said: ‘What did you say?’

“‘You heard me. Don’t stop now, I’ve heard it for an hour and a half for 15 overs, come back and keep sledging me. I’m going to stay here for the rest of the day and I want you to keep going’

Hodge knew that he has hit the hammer on his toes and he was later told by his teammate that his chances of playing for Australia have just took a beating.