Former Australia batter and assistant batting coach Brad Hodge has been named culprit for damaging the carpet in the Hobart dressing room after the final T20I of the series against Pakistan. According to Sydney Morning Herald, Hodge did burnouts in the Australian dressing room with e-bike of another in the Australian team support staff.
Following the incident, Cricket Tasmania filed a complaint. Cricket Australia has apologised for the damage caused.
“We are aware some damage was caused to the carpet in the Australian dressing room at Bellerive Oval after the Australia-Pakistan T20 and we have apologised to Cricket Tasmania for this,” CA had said in a statement. “The cost of the repairs will be passed on to the person who caused the damage and they will be reminded of their responsibility to take care of the facilities they are privileged to use.”
Hodge has been a part-time member in Australia's white-ball coaching staff. He was in the Caribbean for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 as well with Mitchell Marsh-led side.
The incident happened after Josh Inglis-led Australia beat Pakistan by seven wickets and completed a whitewash.
The news comes amidst the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Australia lost the first Test at Perth Stadium by 295 runs against Jasprit Bumrah-led side in Rohit Sharma's absence. This is Australia's first Test defeat at the venue. The next Test will be played at Adelaide Oval. The pink-ball Test will begin on December 6.
Hodge's international and IPL career
Hodge has been often considered unlucky as he wasn't able to hold a place in the Australian side during their golden era. He made his Test debut in 2005. In three years, he played six Tests and scored 503 runs at an average of 55.88 including a double century. In ODIs, he has 575 runs from 21 innings at an average over 30 including a century and three fifties. He played 15 T20Is and scored 183 runs at an average of 26.14.
The 49-year-old has been a part of three Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises -- Rajasthan Royals, now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Victoria-born batter has 1400 runs from 66 IPL games at an average of 33.33 including six fifties.
