Hodge ready for one-off opening

Brad Hodge's faith in the national selectors has been restored after he was chosen to replace Ricky Ponting for the CB Series match against England in Brisbane on Friday. Hodge has experienced a number of confusing calls over the past two years, including being dropped from the Test side two games after posting a double-century, and he knows he must make the most of his chance.

Hodge will probably be with the squad for only one game as the resting Ricky Ponting is expected back for the match against New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday. "Sometimes in cricket and especially representing Australia it might be the one chance that you get," he said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's such a great side. This is a window of opportunity for me."

Australia have cruised through their opening two games of the series and Hodge said it was a "great reward" to be part of the squad. "To get selected and to find out exactly where you are, it's something you don't really understand from time to time," he said. "But this selection really gives me good faith and good hope to know that the selectors are still watching."

Hodge did not want to worry about his chances of being part of the World Cup squad, but he has been a regular tourist with Australia over the past three years. He was the back-up batsman in India, New Zealand and England before getting a five-Test run and averaging 58.42 in 2005-06. However, he was dropped for the tour of South Africa when Damien Martyn was preferred and has been in the domestic game ever since.