He was born at Guildford, Surrey, while he was educated at Wellington College and Durham University.
Hodgson made his debut for Essex in a List A match against Gloucestershire in the 1996 AXA Equity and Law League.
It was while studying there that he represented a British Universities team in 5 List A matches in 1997, the last of which came against Hampshire.
Hodgson also represented Essex in first-class cricket, making his debut for the county in that format against Kent in 1997.
He played 2 further List A matches for the Board against Huntingdonshire and Surrey, both in the 2001 Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy.