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Hodge eyes potential Big Bash move

Veteran batsman interested in a dual role at Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|07

Veteran Adelaide Strikers batsman Brad Hodge has expressed interest in a move to Hobart Hurricanes to take on a potential player-coach role in next season's KFC Big Bash.

Hodge, who took newly-formed Indian Premier League franchise Gujarat Lions to the semi-finals last year and also mentored the CA XI during last summer's Matador One-Day Cup, has plied his trade for the past few seasons at the Strikers in the dual role of batsman and assistant coach.

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And with the Hurricanes looking to fill the head coach position left vacant by Damien Wright, Hodge - who has played his last match at Adelaide - has thrown his hat in the ring.

"Of course I would be interested," he told the Hobart Mercury. "It would be a marvellous thing to be involved in if I was given the opportunity.

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"For me, any opportunity to be involved with Big Bash is exciting.

"I know I certainly enjoy playing down in Hobart and it is always good fun. It is a great ground."

Hodge, who at 42 continues to mix it with the best in the Big Bash – his 286 runs in BBL|06 placed him seventh on the top-scorers list – will have to impress his former Australia teammate Ricky Ponting if he wants the role, with the Tasmanian legend on board to help the Hurricanes select the best possible candidate.

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The Hobart franchise has disappointed in recent editions of the BBL, finishing seventh in the past two seasons and fifth in BBL|04 after reaching the final the season prior.

Speaking with cricket.com.au last month, Ponting singled out Hodge's form as having been "very good" throughout BBL|06, and the pair has a history together as Test and ODI teammates.

Hodge said he felt well-equipped to handle the dual responsibilities of playing and coaching.

"I've been doing it for a fair amount of time anyway, being an assistant to (Strikers head coaches) Darren Berry and Jason (Gillespie) and also playing," he said.

"I think it is certainly a role you can do, for sure.

"I felt like I really had a strong contribution to the team in Adelaide (with the bat) but I won't be playing there again this year.

"It is weighing up the future and seeing what options are out there.

"For me there is no rush. I know Ricky was down there last week going through a few things with the review and I guess all that sort of stuff takes a bit of time."