After leading the Perth Scorchers into the T20 Big Bash League final, in-form spinner Brad Hogg hopes he has done enough to convince national selectors he deserves a recall into Australia's Twenty20 squad.
Australia will unveil its Twenty20 squad for February's two-game series against India on Monday, with several question marks still hovering over the make-up of the team.
Skipper Cameron White is in serious danger of being axed after his mediocre form in the Big Bash League, while 40-year-old Hogg could earn a fairy tale recall almost four years after playing his last game for Australia.
Hogg snared 2 for 17 off four overs to help inspire the Scorchers to an 11-run victory over Melbourne Stars in Saturday night's semi-final at the WACA Ground.
The win not only set up a home final for the Scorchers next Saturday, it also secured Perth's passage into the lucrative Champions League.
Hogg has been the star of the show in the Big Bash, snaring 12 wickets at an average of 13.5.
In a bid to boost his chances of appearing for Australia at this year's Twenty20 World Cup, Hogg will play in the newly-formed Bangladesh Premier League and also the IPL if, as expected, he gets snapped up in the auction.
When asked about his chances of earning a call-up for the Twenty20 series against India, Hogg seemed quietly confident.
"I think my smile says it all," Hogg said.
"Since there's been talk of me playing for Australia and the World Cup coming up, I took those opportunities (of IPL and Bangladesh) to put my name down, just to make sure I'm playing as much cricket as possible.
"There's no point selecting me if I'm not playing any Twenty20 cricket.
"But if I'm playing cricket against good competition at the highest level over the next six months, then at least I'm trying to stay in as much form as possible."
White did not seem as hopeful when asked about his own chances of being retained in the Twenty20 squad.
"I think you'll find out Monday," the Stars captain said.
White admitted the Stars' semi-final exit was disappointing, but denied suggestions the players were more gutted at missing qualification for the million-dollar Champions League.
"I don't think that even enters your mind," White said.
"You know there's Champions League at the end if you win but the money is just part of it, you don't really worry about it too much."
Chasing 175 for victory, the Stars were restricted to 8 for 163.
West Australian cricket's last piece of silverware came back in 2003/04 when the Warriors won the one-day competition.
But Hogg hopes the eight-year title drought will soon end courtesy of the Scorchers.
"People were writing us off, saying we were going to finish last. Now we're in a grand final," Hogg said.
AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia First posted January 22, 2012 11:34:57
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