Hodge leaves a hole

Ottis Gibson © Getty Images

The news that Brad Hodge would not be returning to the county in 2005 was greeted with dismay at Grace Road. The frustration was eased, however, when he was called up to replace the injured Ricky Ponting for Australia's tour to India. Hodge's first call-up to national colours has raised the possibility that he will be selected for the Ashes party next summer, which would leave him unavailable for county cricket for most of the season in any case.

His departure nevertheless leaves a substantial hole, not least as leader, having taken on the captaincy from Phil DeFreitas in mid-season. "Brad will not be easy to replace," says James Whitaker, director of cricket. "That's a lot of runs we've got to find and he'd begun to make an impact as captain as well."

In 30 Championship matches over two seasons Hodge made 2,841 runs at an average of 57.98. He also played a key role in this year's Twenty20 Cup triumph, hitting a brilliant unbeaten 77 against Surrey in the final.

The need to bring in new batsmen has been heightened by the decision not to offer Darren Stevens a new contract. Stevens, the 28-year-old local lad who made the ECB Academy squad two years ago, has never quite fulfilled the potential that his vibrant strokeplay suggests is lurking within. When on form his timing is exceptionally sweet but too often this has been showcased in cameos rather than innings of substance.

Player of the Year: Ottis Gibson, 35 and leader of the attack, took 60 wickets in his first season of first-class cricket for three years
High: Kings of the short form: that Twenty20 Cup win at Edgbaston
Low: Failure to take the last two Yorkshire wickets at Grace Road at the end of August, denting promotion hopes

This article was first published in the November issue of The Wisden Cricketer.
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