Ageless Hogg's fairytale run with Knight Riders

Kolkata: At 45, Brad Hogg is almost an anachronism in the youthful world of Twenty20 cricket but the Australian chinaman bowler continues to prove he still has what it takes to be successful. Hogg, with his tongue-out action, was the pick of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers in Sunday night’s nine-wicket Indian Premier League (IPL) victory against Delhi Daredevils, returning 3-19 with four tidy overs of unorthodox left-arm spin at Eden Gardens.

Cricket’s shortest format gave his career a second wind and Hogg made a surprise return to Twenty20 Internationals in 2012 via the Big Bash League at the ripe old age of 40. The dream to play this year’s World Twenty20 did not materialise but the Australian’s exploits in Sunday’s IPL match has, once again, prompted the ‘old-is-gold’ cliché.

Hogg was in the thick of things on Sunday, claiming three wickets, taking a skier and even mimicking, on commentators’ request, his habit of sticking his tongue out when bowling.

“I’m coming close to the other end of my life, so I got to enjoy as much,” the spinner told the tournament website. “I’ve really enjoyed it. The game of cricket has given me so much. Hopefully, when my career does finish, I can give a lot back.” “I’m very lucky that physically I can do it. It’s nice to wake up in the morning and find I’m not sore,” he said.

“I’m very fortunate to be here. I think the secret is you got to be healthy, that’s the number one thing in life.” “I just want to go on as long as I can,” he said.    — Reuters