Age just a number: Boof

One is a 39-year-old batsman who jokingly compares his comeback to a biblical-style miracle, the other is a fresh young leg-spinner, barely out of his teens.

But Darren Lehmann was full of praise for both the veteran Brad Hodge and the rookie James Muirhead after Australia’s crushing eight-wicket T20 International victory over England at the MCG last night.

At nearly double Muirhead’s age, Hodge’s return to the national team after six years in the representative wilderness began in unorthodox fashion, as the Melbourne Stars’ opening batsman took the new ball and opened the bowling with his right-arm off-breaks.

Ironically, the powerful-hitting Hodge wasn’t required to wield the willow as Cameron White and George Bailey mowed down the target of 131 with 31 deliveries remaining.

He contributed magnificently in the field though, taking a sharp diving catch off Josh Hazlewood to dismiss Stars’ teammate Luke Wright for a duck, beforethrowing down the stumps to send Eoin Morgan back to the pavilion, much to the delight of his home-town fans.

Lehmann told Nine’s Wide World of Sports after the match that he was delighted to see Hodge back in the side.

“Obviously ‘Hodgey’ was brought into this game and we’re not worried about the age we’re after the experience of the player,” Lehman said. “And our young guys have done well, so we’ve managed to blood some young players and bring some older players back.”

The coach was impressed by Muirhead’s performance, after the leg-spinner took 1-17 from his four overs, during which he generated some genuine turn.

The young Victorian attended his first international match in Adelaide when he watched the final ODI between Australia and England last week, and has taken two wickets across his first two games in Australian colours.

“So pleased for him, the way he went about it today again, and he’s a good young man,” said Lehmann.

The Australian coach joked that the young leggie may resemble Shane Warne in more ways than one, after he admonished Muirhead for being easily distracted in the field.

“If he concentrates in the field he’ll be fine,” he said. “He does (tend to drift off a bit), but that’s alright.

“Young leg-spinners, probably like Shane Warne, you never know.

While Hazlewood picked up the man of the match award after taking 4-30 off four overs, White backed up his 75-run knock in the first T20I in Hobart with another explosive innings, scoring an unbeaten 58 runs of 63 balls, while captain Bailey smashed 60 runs off just 32 deliveries.

Lehmann said it was pleasing to see the mix of youth and experience bringing success.

“Yeah it’s good,” he said. “Obviously they’ve played well in the BBL and they get a chance here.

“Someone like Cameron White’s done really well and I was pleased with George Bailey and the young bowlers.

“(Bailey) is a great man, he’s led us well,” said Lehmann. “The first two games were outstanding I thought he led well, captained well, and tonight he batted really well so I’m pleased for him.”