http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/hogg-keen-for-t20-international-return-20120109-1pqi1.html
Hogg keen for T20 international return..
Justin Chadwick
January 9, 2012
After displaying some blistering form in the Big Bash League, former Test spinner Brad Hogg has declared he will end his international retirement if Australia requires his services for September's Twenty20 World Cup.
Hogg, who last played for Australia in 2008, snared 3-20 off four overs to inspire the Scorchers to a 42-run victory over Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, lifting Perth to equal first on the table.
The man-of-the-match performance took Hogg's tournament figures to 6-115 at the miserly run rate of 6.4 an over.
But more importantly, the 40-year-old now has the belief he could again match it with the world's best at the highest level.
Hogg, who notched seven Tests, 123 one-dayers and two T20s for Australia, has put his hand up for the next edition of the IPL, while he is also keen to play on with the Scorchers next summer.
And this year's Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka is also in his sights but only if selectors feel he truly deserves a berth.
"Look, I've been part of two 50-over world cups and one Twenty20 world cup and we didn't do too well in that Twenty20 world cup, so if they asked me I would definitely put my hand up and say yes," Hogg said.
"At the end of the day, if they're picking the best 15 and they think that I'm in the best 15, I won't say no.
"But there's a lot of good young cricketers around."
Meanwhile, Hogg has urged national selectors to stick with spinner Nathan Lyon for the third Test against India at the WACA Ground.
Hogg was controversially left out of the Test team four years ago when Australia opted for a four-man pace attack on what they thought would end up being a fiery wicket.
But the tactic backfired badly as India notched a 72-run victory, with Hogg's replacement - Shaun Tait - wildly misfiring to return match figures of 0-92.
"I think you've got to go in with a spinner no matter what conditions you're in," Hogg said.
"And for Nathan Lyon, even if he doesn't get any wickets here it'd be a good lesson for him to bowl on something like the WACA.
"It'll improve his bowling, so I'd be backing them to play the option of the spinner."
Former Test opener and outgoing WACA chief executive Graeme Wood disagreed, predicting Australia would opt for an all-out pace attack after the tactic worked well against England last summer.
Ryan Harris is almost certain to replace the injured James Pattinson, while left-armer Mitchell Starc, who snared 3-17 in a fiery Twenty20 bowling display on Sunday night, could squeeze out Lyon.
WACA curator Cameron Sutherland said the pitch would have 20 per more pace and bounce than the one from four years ago, and said Australia wouldn't be wrong in picking an extra paceman.
© 2012 AAP
