Perth Scorchers confirm 44-year-old Hogg will return for the upcoming KFC T20 Big Bash League season
Evergreen Hogg re-signs for BBL|05
Evergreen spin bowler Brad Hogg will again ply his wares for the Perth Scorchers in the fifth season of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.
The re-signing of the 44-year-old has further consolidated the Scorchers’ roster, with the bulk of the reigning champions’ squad now locked into new deals.
The Scorchers took an unusual route to unveil the signing, as Hogg reprising his role as a "rap mogul" for a music video parodying MC Hammer's Can't Touch This.
STOP #HoggyTime!!! Here's what you've been waiting for... here's our newest signing!!! http://bit.ly/1ISCbg5
Posted by Perth Scorchers on Sunday, 6 September 2015
Hogg has belied his age in a 35-game BBL career that has seen him take 40 wickets and remain one of the most consistent bowlers in the competition.
He has been Perth’s most economical bowler across its four-year history at just 6.02.
“Each year becomes more special because it can’t last forever. That’s the beauty of age; you know your strengths and don’t take yourself too seriously,” Hogg said.
“I said I’d play as long as I still have something to contribute and as long as my ageing body doesn’t let the team down, so it’s a year by year thing for me at nearly 45.
“Thankfully, the body is holding up, I’m feeling as fit as ever, so I’m thrilled to be back for the fifth year of BBL.”
Scorchers coach Justin Langer said he was not surprised to see Hogg return for another season.
“I’ve said it before, he’s like the Scorchers’ Benjamin Button,” Langer said.
“None of us can escape Father Time, but what Brad has shown is that if you apply yourself and do the work, age is rarely a factor and Brad is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever come across.
“That’s another important aspect of what he brings to the Scorchers, too; Brad leads by example and that’s really important as an experienced player with a young group around him.”
There is no word yet on the Scorchers' international recruits for BBL|05, after England's Michael Carberry and Pakistani Yasir Arafat played important roles last season.
Hogg takes Perth’s squad to 15, with three roster spots – including the two international places – yet to be filled.
The Scorchers will begin their BBL|05 campaign with a home match at #TheFurnace against the Adelaide Strikers on 21 December 2015.
BBL|05 Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Brad Hogg, Michael Klinger, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Simon Mackin, James Muirhead, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman