One guy who won't be going to the World Cup is ...

Brad Hodge.
　
Only the mention of Michael Clarke's name draws a more passionate response from Australian cricket fans.
　
Australia's 15-man squad for the World Cup will be named on Wednesday - I already nominated my side (see Australia's World Cup Team) - and Hodge won't be in it.
　
With the nation's cricketing fortunes in the toilet, plenty of pundits have called for the Victorian to return to the national team as soon as possible.
　
Hodge has averaged 494 runs at 82.33 in domestic one-day contests this year - figures which have the likes of Matt Hayden and Rodney Hogg screaming the 36-year-old's case for inclusion.
　
However, the selection panel seems to have marked Hodge's card a long time ago.
　
Hodge was included in the 30-man preliminary squad, but couldn't get a spot in the Twenty20 contests or the first ODI.
　
Ironically, some have called for Hodge to replace Clarke, who is held in so much esteem by the selectors that he will captain Australia throughout the England series with regular skipper Ricky Ponting on the sidelines.
　
Clarke has had a horror summer - so much that he retired from T20 cricket to concentrate on his poor Test form.
　
However, the notion that the current captain of the ODI side and future full-time Test skipper would be left out for a guy who is decidedly on the nose with the men who matter is laughable.
　
It's bad luck - Hodge averaged 75 at the last World Cup and only seems to be getting better with age. He has been the best short-form batsman in domestic cricket for years.
　
All after being dropped hot on the heels of a Test double-century.
　
No wonder Hayden called him the hard luck story of Australian cricket.
　
I think one of the problems is the positions Hodge would be most effective in - three, four or five - are occupied.
　
Ponting will remain at first drop in the pajama game, no matter what his Test future holds.
　
Clarke - the golden boy - has been a fixture at second drop for years.
　
Hodge's Victorian team-mate, Cameron White, has handled batting five with aplomb.
　
Some would argue there is a case for Hodge to open the innings. Fair enough.
　
But who would tell Shane Watson he needs to drop down the order? Not me. He's been Australia's best bat this summer. And he won the first ODI off his own bat.
　
The other slot will go to whoever gets the nod as wicketkeeper - Brad Haddin or Tim Paine. Both are capable enough to play as specialist bats and will open to make room for Steve Smith at seven.
　
That leaves the No 6 slot - I'm not convinced Hodge would be more effective as a closer than Michael Hussey.


I'd love to see Hodge go as the reserve batsman, but whether his weight of runs can sway the selectors he is a better option than David Hussey - whose bowling is very effective in limited overs cricket - is doubtful.