Hodd grabs his chance following Pietersen’s downfall

First, Kevin Pietersen talks and texts himself into trouble at the Headingley Test.

Pietersen loses his place in the England side – possibly for good – and Yorkshire wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow is handed a recall.

Gerard Brophy, Bairstow’s understudy, is released by the county, meaning Yorkshire are left without a frontline wicketkeeper.

Enter Andrew Hodd, of Sussex, arguably the biggest beneficiary of the Pietersen saga.

Yorkshire had been talking informally to the 28-year-old for about a month, with a view, in the player’s words, “to maybe something happening at the end of this year or happening next year – just kind of low-key chats and stuff”.

Those chats suddenly became more high-key when Bairstow replaced Pietersen and Brophy retired, Hodd agreeing to join Yorkshire on loan until the end of the season for Championship cricket.

Out of contract at Sussex at the end of the summer, and facing an uncertain future, having not played a first-class game for 13 months, Hodd jumped at the chance as surely as Bairstow grabbed his when making 95 and 54 against South Africa in the final Test at Lord’s.

Hodd scored 58 and took six catches on his Yorkshire debut against Derbyshire at Headingley, three of the catches so spectacular they should rightly be put up on YouTube.

Hodd twice dived full-length to his left, and once to his right, to complete dismissals off the bowling of Ryan Sidebottom, and he was also involved in effecting a run-out.

As first impressions go, his was of the eye-catching variety.

Having stated his desire to earn a full-time contract, Hodd could surely not have done any more 
to put himself in the shop window.

Of course, one swallow does not make a summer, and Yorkshire have been naturally guarded at this stage regarding his future.

The official line is that Hodd is here until the end of the season and that the club will make a decision after that time.

With Bairstow also part of England’s one-day and Twenty20 squads, Hodd has three more Championship games to press his claims, starting with today’s match against Gloucestershire at Scarborough.

But, as Yorkshire first-team coach Jason Gillespie admits, he has done himself no harm thus far.

“Andrew Hodd is a serious wicketkeeper,” said Gillespie.

“He took a couple of screamers against Derbyshire and scored some runs, and he could hardly have made a better debut.

“We just saw something in him that we felt could improve our squad, and he has a real energy about him, which I like.

“That’s exactly what we’re after behind the stumps, and he’s a fantastic lad as well.”

It will surprise no one who watched him against Derbyshire that there has never been an issue with Hodd’s keeping.

Neat, tidy, athletic and composed, he was, as Gillespie said, highly energetic.

In the modern game, a wicketkeeper is expected to be multi-skilled and to contribute strongly with the bat to boot.

Hodd is hardly a mug in that regard, boasting a first-class average of 29 with four hundreds from 58 games, but he had dropped down the pecking order at Hove where Matt Prior is 
No 1 whenever available and where Sussex currently favour Ben Brown, whose batting record is similar to that of Hodd (he has a first-class average of 31 with four hundreds from 32 games) but is five years his junior.

“I don’t think there has ever been an issue with Andrew’s keeping,” said Gillespie.

“He averages 30-odd in first-class cricket and has hit four hundreds, so he can hold a bat, no question.

“From a pure keeping point of view, I think he’s outstanding.

“We’ve got a good opportunity now to have a look at him in these last few games.”

Gillespie admitted it was difficult to part company with Brophy.

The 36-year-old gave sterling service after joining from Northamptonshire in 2005.

“It was hard to let Gerard go,” he said. “We had to make a decision we thought was in the best interests of the club and it’s never easy when a player is released. Gerard was a very popular member of the squad and someone we all love. He did a great job for Yorkshire over the years.”

After their recent one-day exploits, Yorkshire now refocus their efforts on trying to win Championship promotion.

Following this week’s game, they complete their programme at home to Glamorgan and away to Essex.

“Two wins might be enough, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” said Gillespie.

“We’re confident our batting can do the job, so it’s all about taking 20 wickets for us.

“It would be great to win the next couple of games and not have to go to Essex needing a win.

“The ball is in our court.”

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