There were a number of reasons for this including erratic form, a back injury, and being drafted into the army when he was twenty (where he worked as a dental assistant, "moping up blood and that sort of thing").
Gary Cosier, who played with Hogg at Northcote, enjoyed a successful career in South Australia.
He was eventually selected in the South Austrralian side and made his first-class debut that summer, taking seven wickets against Victoria.
[5] Loss of players to World Series Cricket in 1977–78 saw Hogg mentioned as a possible test prospect that summer despite his lack of experience.
[9] He was unable to force his way into the test side – Jeff Thomson, Wayne Clark, Sam Gannon, Ian Callen and Alan Hurst were the preferred fast bowlers.
[10] At the beginning of the 1978–79 summer, a fast bowling spot opened up in the Australian side when Jeff Thomson told selectors he would no longer be available for international matches.
[13] Hogg's selection was almost immediately in jeopardy when, in a Shield game against NSW, he had to minimise the amount of bowling due to stomach cramps and an asthma attack.
[25][26] Hogg's incredible run continued in the fifth test, taking 4–26 and 3–59, meaning he overtook Arthur Mailey as the greatest wicket taker in an Ashes series.
[28] Hogg asked to be not selected for the next international match, a one-day game, due to health concerns, to enable him to recover for the final test.
[32] That summer Hogg was tempted to move to Queensland for financial reasons but accepted a job offer from Hindmarsh Building Society to stay in South Australia.
[36][37] Some strong batting and bowling saw Australia win the second test; Hogg had a comparatively poor match taking 1–88 and 2–45.
There was controversy in April when Graham Yallop released a (ghost written) book about the Ashes, Lambs to the Slaughter where he claimed Hogg ran "roughshod" over him during the English series.
He started badly, being ill with stomach cramps[53] and was pelted with rocks and fruit during a match against South Zone.
"Both Rodney Hogg and (Australian captain Kim) Hughes apologised to the umpire concerned and that is as far as the matter will go", said manager Bob Merriman.
Can a man who sets records for wicket-taking in his first series be reduced to bowling to a wicketkeeper unaccompanied by slips, gullies or short legs?
According to press reports, "Rodney Hogg cannot walk on to a cricket field in India without causing a stir.
In nine overs against Central Zone yesterday he bowled 18 no balls, hit one batsman on the head, sent another to hospital with three teeth knocked out and was warned for running on the wicket.
"[68] Due to his success the previous summer, Hogg was considered a strong chance to play in the reunified Australian side along with Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson.
[74][75] He returned to national colours in a one-day international, taking 4–46 against England,[76] then played the second test against the West Indies, earning figures of 0–59 in the first innings; Hogg's back injury recurred and he had to leave the field while Australia was bowling.
[88] Hogg had enjoyed a strong summer – 42 first class wickets at 22.85 – and was picked on the 1981 tour of Sri Lanka and England.
[98] However his back injury flared up again and Hogg was overlooked for the fifth test; Mike Whitney was called up to replace him.
Hogg returned to first class cricket in 1982–83, bowing in tandem with Joel Garner for South Australia.
Injuries to Carl Rackemann, Terry Alderman and Dennis Lillee led to his selection in the third test in the 1982–83 Ashes.
[118] Hogg's back injury meant he declared himself unfit for the fourth test and was replaced by John Maguire.
[121] Hogg was selected in Australia's one day team to play in the World Series Cricket tri-tournament against Pakistan and West Indies.
During the 1983–84 season, Hogg took 1–10 off ten overs in the McDonald's Cup semi final, helping South Australia win.
[125] He had a good first test with the bat, making 52 (his highest first class score) and taking part in a last wicket partnership of 97 with Tom Hogan.
Hogg did not play in the World Championship of Cricket and was left out of the Australian squad to tour Sharjah in 1985 – Graeme Wood was appointed vice-captain instead.
[153] After retirement from first class cricket, Hogg was a bowling coach for the Victorian team working alongside David Hookes.
West Indies Captain Kraigg Brathwaite responded back after drawing the series 1–1 at the post match presentation asking Hogg – "Are these muscles big enough for him?"