Hodge, White lead the way

Brad Hodge and Cameron White have both scored centuries to help Victoria recover from early trouble on the opening day of there Pura Cup clash against the Tasmania Tigers at the MCG.

Hodge and White also put forward their cases for national selection in the upcoming Australian summer in front of Australian selector Merv Hughes. The pair put on a 223 run partnership to help the home side to a solid, 5- 339 at stumps. White won the toss and chose to bat on a great day for the Bushrangers.

After losing the wickets of openers Nick Jewell and Lloyd Mash - both to Adam Griffith (2-42) - as well as David Hussey during the opening session, Hodge and White batted through the whole second session to make it to 3-188 at tea.

Jewell edged Griffith to Michael Di Venuto at second slip when on 14, the same pair combining six runs later to remove Mash for 13.

Hussey fell just before lunch after consolidating with Hodge and on 31 failed to move his feet and played on to a good delivery from Brett Geeves.

Hodge who played a superb innings was dismissed for 153 from 253 balls just six overs before stumps, driving Ben Hilfenhaus to Michael Di Venuto at backward point.

White made his century in the second last over of the day, while Hilfenhaus had Jon Moss caught behind for eight to end play for the day.

Hodge was disappointed when dismissed and yelled at himself in frustration. After the game he said, "Obviously I'm disappointed not to be there tomorrow,"

He was over the moon that the knock was in front of Australian captain Ricky Ponting as well who was captaining the Tasmanian side. "The foundation has been there and it was just a matter of batting for a long period of time, it was enjoyable to be able to do it."

"The bat was raised quite high, don't worry about that – there was a certain amount of satisfaction, obviously Ricky is out there," he said.

"I felt there was a bit of pressure on this game, personally, to try and achieve something good.

"I can be quite pleased with my performance, knowing the captain of Australia can still watch and take heart and say 'Hodgey is still playing well'."

The 12th men for both teams were Luke Butterworth (Tasmania) and Clinton McKay (Victoria).

It is also interesting to note that the Vics have been beaten only twice by the Tigers in their last 12 meetings in Melbourne.

Victoria - First Innings
L MASH c Di Venuto b Griffith 13
N JEWELL c Di Venuto b Griffith 14
B HODGE c Di Venuto b Hilfenhaus 153
D HUSSEY b Geeves 31
C WHITE not out 100
J MOSS c Clingeleffer b Hilfenhaus 8

Extras (5lb, 5nb) 10
Total: (5 wickets for) 329

Fall: 1-31, 2-37, 3-89, 4-312, 5-329.

Bowling
A Griffith 19-3-64-2 (2nb)
B Hilfenhaus 27.1-5-87-2
B Drew 12-0-70-0
B Geeves 19-3-63-1 (3nb)
D Marsh 18-3-40–0

Batting time: - mins. Overs: 95.1

Toss: Victoria
Umpires: B Oxenford and P Reiffel.
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Summary: Day One.

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