Victorian cricket officials and players have rallied around Brad Hodge after the star batsman's omission from the Australian Twenty20 and one-day squads named on Thursday.
Despite scoring prolifically in both shortened versions of the game, Hodge was not selected in two 13-man squads for upcoming Twenty20 and one-day international matches against South Africa.
Hodge has hit 264 runs at an average of 52.8 and a strike rate of 94.62 in six Ford Ranger Cup matches this summer, and has also starred in the Twenty20 Big Bash with an average of 61 from three matches.
By comparison, Western Australian batsman Shaun Marsh, who was named in both Australian squads, has averaged a mediocre 25.16 in domestic one-day cricket and has scored only 43 runs in his past three Twenty20 games.
Admittedly, Marsh performed with distinction in national colours last year against the West Indies and Bangladesh.
Hodge's Bushrangers team-mates David Hussey and Cameron White, both named in Australia's Twenty20 and one-day squads, said the 34-year-old was still capable of performing at the highest level.
Hussey said he rated Hodge, who averages 40.53 from 53 Twenty20 matches, one of the 10 best players in the world in the newest form of the game.
"I love watching him play. He scored 70 against South Australia the other night here (at the MCG) and did it very, very easily," Hussey said.
"I still think he's got a lot to offer in the international arena and hopefully gets another opportunity."
Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide said Hodge would use the disappointment as a spur to perform well.
"His record is terrific in 20-over cricket, particularly," he said.
"We love to see Brad and other Victorians stake their claims. We think we've got a terrific 20-over outfit, that's reflected in our record in recent times."
Hodge's latest exclusion continues his unlucky run with national selectors.
He was sensationally dumped from the Test side in 2006 just two matches after scoring an unbeaten double century.
White expressed relief at his selection after admitting he was unsure about his international future following Australia's ill-fated Test tour of India.
"I wasn't sure I was going to get picked to be honest. It's a good feeling to know that I'm still in the mix," he said.
"I was hopeful I would still be in the mix at Twenty20 and one-day level. It's good to know that I'm still wanted at the moment. It's up to me to do well."
Hussey said he would use the upcoming matches to continue his quest to win Test selection for away series this year against South Africa and England.
"I've just got to keep making runs for Victoria and hopefully win some silverware for Victoria and hopefully get an opportunity through that avenue," he said.
"I get the opportunity to play one-day cricket for Australia now so hopefully do particularly well, win a few games for Australia and get in that way."