Hodge recalled to Australia squad

Brad Hodge has been recalled to the Australian squad after a hamstring injury ruled Darren Lehmann out of the fourth Test.

Hodge, 29, had been heading home from India, but he had only made it as far as Mumbai - which, conveniently enough, is the venue of the fourth Test - when he learned of Lehmann's plight.

"When I left the boys yesterday, the last place I expected to be in 24 hours' time was Nagpur," said a bemused Hodge, who has yet to make his Test debut.

Lehmann struck 70 on the opening day at Nagpur, but he needed a runner late on in his innings. Lehmann's Test place had been in jeopardy after he failed in the first two matches. After Michael Clarke hit 151 on his Test debut at Bangalore, Lehmann reportedly offered to step aside to make room for Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting.

And Ponting could yet step in to Lehmann's shoes for the fourth Test, if he receives the all-clear after breaking his thumb.