Brad Hodge leaves Lancashire

[DPRA]

Well, I must say I am completly gutted.

Lancashire has today confirmed they have agreed to release Overseas Batsman Brad Hodge from his contract with immediate effect.


Unfortunately for the Hodge family, Brad?s wife Meg has been ill for a long period of time and he has decided to remain in Australia to look after her and their young son Jesse ? a decision Lancashire fully understands and supports.

Hodge first joined the Red Rose County at the start of the 2005 season on a two-year deal after a successful spell with Leicestershire. During 2005 and 2006, Brad was arguably one of the best batsman in County Cricket and Lancashire didn?t hesitate in offering this prolific run-scorer another two-year contract that would see him remain at Old Trafford until the end of the 2008 season. Unfortunately for the county, his great form also meant he was regularly called away on International duty with Australia and his time in Manchester was limited. This season was no different; in April the club agreed he could play in the inaugural Indian Premier League, and part way through this tournament he was called into the Australian squad to tour the Caribbean.

Lancashire Chief Executive Jim Cumbes says; ?Brad?s wife has been ill for some time, and although she is on the mend, it?s important that he be at home in Melbourne during this period of recovery. Everyone associated with the club wishes Meg a speedy return to good health and would like to thank Brad for his invaluable contribution over the past four years.?

New Zealand Batsman Lou Vincent will replace Hodge as the club?s Overseas Player for the remainder of this season.

http://www.lccc.co.uk/index.php?p=news&id=2176

What a great player, sad to see him leave. I hope his wife Gets better ASAP.

:crying

 

[Mad Snake]

He is a terrific player, but he is doing what is right for him and his family, if Lou Vincent finds form he will do very well though if he doesn't (likely) your in trouble

 

[.Mob]

Not really, we have du Plessis, who is also a class act. I think it's better to only have one overseas player anyway (du Plessis only), but hey, Vincent is a bonus.

 

[lancashire666]

i really hope we get hodge back at some point in the future, Yousuf was a massive disapointment this season, and Vicent is more of a onne day player than a championship player, and with mal loye out of form this year we could really of done with hodge back in the line up at 3, but i suppose we will now have to cope without him, at least we still have du plessie and horton, two of the best young players around at the moment

 

[PhilD123]

Yousuf was a massive disapointment this season

I know what you mean, but he did make a double hundred against Yorkshire, what more can you ask!

 

[lancashire666]

one knock does not make it a good signing

 

[PhilD123]

Haha, I know, thats why I said I know what you mean, but it was nice against them lot!

 

[MUFC1987]

I don't see the problem. Vincent will open the batting which is what Lancs need. The likes of Loye, Law, Du Plessis and Flintoff should be enough in the middle order to score runs. It's at the top where they sometimes struggle.

 

[DPRA]

Not really, we have du Plessis, who is also a class act. I think it's better to only have one overseas player anyway (du Plessis only), but hey, Vincent is a bonus.

Du Plessis isn't an overseas player... Du Plessis is a Kolpak player, and by ECB Laws, Next year he can be classed as an English player, good news for England! :cool:

I just think that Hodge added that little bit more spark to the batting order, as many times I have seen us collapse, only for Hodge to rescue us.

 

[.Mob]

Du Plessis isn't an overseas player... Du Plessis is a Kolpak player, and by ECB Laws, Next year he can be classed as an English player, good news for England! :cool:

I know, but the dude is still South African, I'd rather we had just one guy who was from an overseas country. I think he'd still want to play for SA, even if eligible for England.

 

[RoboRocks]

Du Plessis isn't an overseas player... Du Plessis is a Kolpak player, and by ECB Laws, Next year he can be classed as an English player, good news for England! :cool:

I didn't think that Du Pessis wanted to play for England and would go back to South Africa after this season, which is usually the case.

I just think that Hodge added that little bit more spark to the batting order, as many times I have seen us collapse, only for Hodge to rescue us.

A player with the experience and ability of Hodge will be missed by Lancashire. I wonder if Vincent will be now a permanent replacement for Hodge now or will they find a new player instead.

 

[DPRA]

I didn't think that Du Pessis wanted to play for England and would go back to South Africa after this season, which is usually the case.



A player with the experience and ability of Hodge will be missed by Lancashire. I wonder if Vincent will be now a permanent replacement for Hodge now or will they find a new player instead.

Im sure Du Plessis has already stated that he would love to stay another couple of seasons with us.

On the Lancashire website it stated that Vincent was a perminant replacement.

We will miss you Hodge

 

[viney]

Im sure Du Plessis has already stated that he would love to stay another couple of seasons with us.

If he does stay they shouldn't use him as a bowler.He bowled 1 over in last nights Twenty20 went for 20 runs which started middlesex's good batting off.

 

[.Mob]

One bad over.......

He has taken some vital wickets for us before, he isn't too bad.

 

[DPRA]

If he does stay they shouldn't use him as a bowler.He bowled 1 over in last nights Twenty20 went for 20 runs which started middlesex's good batting off.

Yeah mate, I agree with .Mob on this one, during the competition he took some really vital wickets that got us through to the quater finals.

One bad over.......

He has taken some vital wickets for us before, he isn't too bad.