Hodge to miss first tour game against India

Sydney, Dec 15 (UNI) Brad Hodge will not take field against India during the opening match of their tour game which will see the visitors square-off against Victoria from December 20.

The middle-order batsman, who has an impressive Test average of 58.42, suffered an inflamed disc in his back while he was warming up before Australia's Twenty20 clash against New Zealand in Perth.

''It has settled down a little bit, but I have been told not to risk it. It's still a bit tender and I am restricted in movement,'' Hodge was quoted as saying by the 'Herald Sun'.

Hodge will also miss Victoria's Ford Ranger Cup match at the Bellerive Oval against Tasmania which will be played today.

''I wish I could say I hurt it in a bar brawl or something, but I was actually just putting my pants on before the warm-up,'' he said.

''I was pretty devastated, but what can you do? It was pretty bad timing, it happened half an hour before the coin got tossed.'' ''It's not going to be anything that is likely to have an impact in regard to higher selection and, if you're not fit, then you don't play.'' The 32-year-old, who had played his last Test 11 months ago, had been looking forward to play for Australia.

Hodge, who is still contracted to Cricket Australia, remains on the fringe of both the Test and ODI sides.

India will begin their tour down under with the first Test starting on December 26.

UNI