Hodge targeted by New South Wales

Brad Hodge has been the target of a bold approach by New South Wales, the Pura Cup champions, in an attempt to get the Victoria batsman to move to Sydney. Hodge, who is due to arrive in England for his county stint with Lancashire early next week, had a meeting with a NSW delegation in Melbourne.

Brad Haddin, the NSW captain, David Gilbert, the chief executive and Matthew Mott, the assistant coach, met with Hodge at the end of the last week to discuss options. It is understood that extra leadership responsibilities would be part of the package, after Hodge was overlooked for the Victoria captaincy in favour of Cameron White.

Although Hodge has yet to make a decision he told The Age that he has to consider his options. "As a professional sportsman, I have to look at all my options, take in those options, then work out where is the best place for me to get a game in the Test or one-day side. There are also considerations for life further on in my career."

Hodge has won a place in the Ashes squad after another prolific domestic season in the Pura Cup, scoring 891 runs at 63. He was also part of the Australian squads that toured India and New Zealand.

He has become the latest Victoria batsman to look at a move to a rival state in recent weeks. Matthew Elliott is currently appealing against Victoria's attempts to try and block his proposed move to South Australia, while there are also question marks over the future of Jon Moss, Matthew Inness and Ian Harvey in Melbourne.