Hopes was consistently one of the best bowlers in Australian domestic cricket through his career, and when he retired in 2016 he was the top wicket-taker of the last decade despite never being selected to play in a Test match for Australia.

[1][2] After his playing career, Hopes was the bowling coach of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League until 2020.

Hopes was selected to play for the Australian national cricket team for the first time in February 2004, replacing injured all-rounder Shane Watson.

[10] His most productive day at international level came in June 2010 when his 5 for 14 ensured Australia would not be embarrassed by losing to Ireland in an ODI in Dublin.

In November 2010, Hopes picked up 3 for 40 and then top scored with 73 as the Bulls pushed well past Tasmania's disappointing 196 on the second day at Bellerive Oval.

In Big Bash match against Tasmania, he scored unbeaten 65 runs and also affected a run-out and took a one-handed catch to dismiss Ryan ten Doeschate was declared the Man-of-the-Match.

In 2011, an allround performance from Hopes led Queensland to a comfortable six-wicket victory against New South Wales in Ryobi Cup.

Hopes took six-wicket haul and ensured that Queensland finished in third place on the 2010/11 Sheffield Shield table with victory by an innings and three runs over Victoria.

Hopes finished season with averaged of 58.70 with the bat and 20.11 with the ball winning 23 votes won the award ahead of Tasmania allrounder Luke Butterworth.