At 40, Hogg makes a comeback to Aussie T20 squad

Melbourne: Almost four years after he announced international retirement, 40-year-old left-arm spinner Brad Hogg stunningly returned to the Australian team by getting picked in the 14-member Twenty20 squad for the two matches against India next month.

George Bailey has been named the new T20 captain, replacing a struggling Cameron White. "The National Selection Panel unanimously favoured George Bailey as Captain of the T20 team. He is widely respected and regarded as an outstanding captain, having had sustained success in this role. The role of the captain is especially important in fast moving T20 cricket," Cricket Australia said in a statement. Hogg had announced his international retirement in 2008 but he had been impressive in the Big Bash Twenty20 League currently being played. The two Twenty20 matches against India will be played in Sydney and Melbourne on February 1 and 3 respectively. "Australia`s T20 Team has been ranked a disappointing sixth in World Rankings. It is considered that the team needs refreshment and a number of changes have been made," National Selector John Inverarity said. "The NSP has been discussing this T20 squad for about six weeks and has unanimously decided on the squad, the captain and the vice-captain. The selectors consider this to be a very well balanced T20 squad and look forward to the team acquitting itself very well.” "The NSP has the T20 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in September to the fore in its mind with these selections," he added. PTI