Cricket: Hodge's international chances boosted by his selection for PM's XI

Brad Hodge. Photo / AP

Brad Hodge's chances of reviving his international career at the World T20 have received a boost.

The veteran batsman has been selected in the Prime Minister's XI to face England in Canberra on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old hasn't played an international for six years but his form for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and the Royals in the Champions League have him in line for a belated call-up to the Australian squad for the T20 tournament starting in March in Bangladesh.

Hodge is the most senior player in the Prime Minister's squad which will take on an England XI in a 50-over day-nighter at Manuka Oval on January 14. The side will be captained by another veteran, Sydney Sixers star Brett Lee, who is retired from all international cricket.

Selectors have picked a strong team which also features fast bowlers Jackson Bird and Ben Cutting.

Bird is a chance to tour with the test side to South Africa next month after bouncing back from injury, while big-hitting Queenslander Cutting is odds on to help lead Australia's charge at the World T20.

Promising spinners James Muirhead and Clive Rose and damaging batsmen Chris Lynn and Luke Pomersbach have also been picked, as well as some of the best talent from the ACT.

Hodge will go down as one of the unluckiest Australian players of all time after playing just six test matches despite averaging 55 and scoring more than 17,000 first-class.

However, even as his years have advanced, Hodge has shown he can hit a ball as crisply as anyone - and Melbourne teammate David Hussey has demanded selectors take notice.

National selector John Inverarity said Hodge and Lee still had plenty to offer Australian cricket.

"This match is a special fixture on the Australian cricketing calendar. Brett Lee and Brad Hodge bring leadership and experience to the team and will be great drawcards," Inverarity said. "Chris Lynn has been in excellent form this season in all forms of the game. Jackson Bird is recovering well from injury and we are keen to increase his workload.

"We have also been pleased with the progress of left-arm orthodox spinner Clive Rose, who has performed well for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield."

- AAP