Hodge, having led the Gujarat Lions into the semi-finals in their first season in the Indian Premier League, has taken charge of the Cricket Australia XI in the Matador Cup one-day series, beginning against Queensland on Saturday.

He has also revealed to Fairfax Media his interest in the vacancy at powerful English County club Yorkshire, who are seeking a replacement for Jason Gillespie.

While his playing career is not yet done – he will again line up for the Adelaide Strikers in this summer's Big Bash League – the former Test batsman understands it's time to explore "different pastures". This could ultimately lead to a coaching role within the Australian side.

"It's like when you're a player, what you have got to do is perform and make sure you fit in with everything the organisation is working towards," he said on Thursday.

"If it all fits in, so be it. I would imagine to become coach of the Australian team, it's a lot of hard work, as is playing for your country.

"At the moment, it is baby steps. I have learnt a lot about myself over the past year-and-a-half. It's important to have a different [mindset] being a coach than a player. You can individualise yourself as a player, but coaching is the complete opposite – you're the last person you have to deal with, everyone else comes first."

Hodge, 41, has been the Strikers' assistant coach for the past two seasons, first alongside Darren Berry and last year to Gillespie. He will have former Australia and England bowling coach Troy Cooley, who is now the head coach at CA's National Cricket Centre, by his side through the one-day domestic series.

A veteran of 223 first-class matches, Hodge is unlucky to have managed just six Tests and 25 one-day internationals. However, he said he had learnt from analysing his former coaches, including Greg Shipperd and Darren Berry.

"I learnt some stuff from Darren Berry about preparation and planning which, as a player, most things I did were instinctively natural. There was the calmness of Jason Gillespie, and I learnt from others around the world, and my Australian coaches. I have seen a lot that I like and a lot that I don't like."

He could yet be Gillespie's replacement at Yorkshire, with British media suggesting he is the favourite to replace the former Australian fast bowler after Paul Farbrace, another candidate, turned down the role. Hodge said he had yet to hear from Yorkshire's director of cricket, Martyn Moxon.

"It's nice to be out there in the workforce and have recognition like that. It's a real positive thing," Hodge said.

Hodge has played alongside Yorkshire leggie Adil Rashid at the Strikers, while Rich Pyrah, an assistant coach at Yorkshire, has worked with Hodge at the Strikers.

"It means guys like Rashid and Pyrah, who came over here, have gone home and spoken only positive stuff. From that side of things, it's really nice. But we'll see if Martyn Moxon gives us a call," Hodge said.

"I would take it on board, digest it ... but it's a difficult life as a coach from talking to a lot of people, with the travelling and family. You have got to weigh all those things up and consider each and every individual in your family. Hopefully, it can all work out."