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Brad “Ageless” Hogg in no mood to retire
By Aditya Pratap - Oct 3, 2017 11:57 am
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Hogg
Brad Hogg

The 46-year-old Brad Hogg believes that his career is not done yet and a lot of cricket is still left in him and his retirement from international cricket is still invisible for him. He has just gone through a knee surgery, which is keeping him apart from Australian domestic first-class cricket.

Hogg said, “I am not worried about my age mate. I am still trying to play First-Class cricket for Western Australia. I don’t think I will ever announce my retirement from international cricket because it is a privilege to play for your country and if I am doing well enough I would never say no.”

He made his international debut in 1996 and last played for Australia in 2014. Though, he believes that he still can make a comeback in the national side. The Chinamen added, “If I get the opportunity to play again (for Australia), I would take it. Because once you are long time retired (it is difficult to comeback). If it stops now, it stops now, I know I won’t get to play again. I am fortunate that at my age I am still wanted. Whether it happens or not, it is another matter but yeah I am not done yet.”

He is rehabilitating from his knee surgery and spending his free time in the commentary panel in India. The 46-year-old stated, While I am doing that (recovering), I am using the time to do commentary. I feel at a very fortunate place to be honest and thoroughly enjoying it. The recovery is taking longer than expected but I should be back on the ground soon.”

On the question of whether he finds it hard to be fit, “Not at all,” he quickly replied before adding, “If you look after yourself, it is not an issue. But as sportsmen, a lot of us have wear and tear. Sometimes it happens early in your career, sometimes it happens late. I am very lucky that it is late in my career. “In fact, I would not call it (injury layoff) a difficult period. I have been extremely lucky to play the game. I am grateful for that. You rather think about the things you have.”

Hogg is very regular in the Indian Premier League as well, where he last featured in 2016 for Kolkata Knight Riders. Thus, he examined Kuldeep Yadav very closely and he believes a great future lies ahead for the young man. Everyone’s career graph is different. We all go through different phases and he has got a great foundation. Now he has just to make sure he keeps his head on his shoulders, don’t think too far ahead and keep working on his game,” Hogg said while praising young Yadav.

“He has just got to make sure he is reliable when the captain calls him to bowl. The best cricketers in the world are consistent and reliable, they do the job,” he concluded.