Hodge was a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, holding the records for the most runs (5,597) and most centuries (20) in Australian interstate one-day matches.

Hodge played Lancashire League Cricket for Ramsbottom in 2000 and 2001 scoring 1000 runs in each season,[8] breaking the clubs batting record in 2001.

[9] Hodge has played with County Cricket teams Durham, Lancashire, and Leicestershire – where he made his highest first class score of 302*.

During his time at Leicestershire, he was accused of cheating by then-Derbyshire captain, Dominic Cork, by claiming a catch when it appeared that he had stepped over the boundary rope in a Twenty20 match in June 2003.

[17] He did, however, take a number of catches in the third test as a substitute fielder to dismiss Kevin Pietersen[18] and Michael Vaughan[19] both off the bowling of Brett Lee.

[3] This innings was criticised by some Australian fans who felt that captain Ricky Ponting declared too late in allowing Hodge to chase his double century.

[20][21] Hodge made his One-day International debut against New Zealand on 2 December 2005 at Eden Park in Auckland during the 2005–06 Chappell–Hadlee Trophy.

[22] The decision was unpopular amongst Victorian fans, particularly since his replacement, Damien Martyn, had averaged only 23.7 in the same Pura Cup season.

During the 2006–07 Commonwealth Bank Series, Hodge was called into the team to replace Andrew Symonds who had pulled out with a torn bicep.

He scored an unbeaten 99 off 86 balls against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 4 February 2007 to guide Australia to a five wicket win in a chase of 291.

He scored 123 off just 89 balls, including 7 sixes and 8 fours and shared a record 4th-wicket partnership of 204 with Michael Clarke, the highest 4th wicket stand in World Cup history.

Hodge returned to the team for the Super 8 match against England in place of the injured Shane Watson but did not bat.

[30] He scored 50 runs and took one wicket across three matches as Australia won only one game and failed to make it past the group stage.