Hodge's Timing Is Perfect

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday February 5, 2007

Chloe Saltau

BRAD Hodge did more than help save Australia from a second inglorious defeat in three days last night. By combining with Ricky Ponting for a record MCG run chase and finally unwrapping his one-day gifts on the international stage, Hodge effectively stamped his passport with a World Cup visa for the West Indies.

Presumably, he will not be too worried about missing out on a century by a solitary run.

"I spoke to him about moving down to five and I knew he could do a good job there if he gave himself the opportunity, which he did tonight," Ponting said after the tense five-wicket victory. "He took over through the middle of that innings, his last 70 must have come off 40 balls so that's a matchwinning knock under great pressure. I think he can definitely keep doing it for us there."

The Victorian batsman would not have played against New Zealand last night if Andrew Symonds had not ripped his bicep off the bone in the previous match. And from his first seven one-day internationals, all as replacement for injured or resting players, he had an average of 11 that belied his dominant domestic record.

Presented with a chance to bat at No.5 in Symonds's place in front of a home crowd of 48,124, Hodge last night went a long way towards securing his place as the spare batsman in the World Cup squad with a smooth and sometimes devastating 99 not out in 86 balls.

His partnership with the unflappable Ponting, who began by lofting a boundary off Mark Gillespie and finished with a composed 104 from 113 balls, ensured the Australians overhauled the target of 290, which at the halfway point of the innings seemed almost insurmountable as they needed eight an over to win. It was the third-highest successful run chase on Australian soil, and the highest at the MCG.

"It's a great privilege to walk off the ground in the Australian colours having helped the team win a game. Two weeks ago I would never have dreamt of that. It was an awkward position, having a fair bit of pressure on myself, and I performed well," said Hodge, whose athletic fielding, demonstrated with a diving outfield catch last night, and part-time off spin will also help fill the void left by Symonds.

Hodge unleashed after raising his half-century with a boundary creamed through the covers and a six smashed straight down the ground in one James Franklin over.

After Mike Hussey was run out after a hesitation in the 48th over, Hodge and his Victorian captain Cameron White rattled up the 12 runs required from the remaining 14 balls to steer Australia to a five-wicket victory.

For New Zealand, who must now beat England tomorrow to qualify for the finals series, this was yet another case of getting close to the world champions, but not close enough.

"No cigar," said captain Stephen Fleming. "It's pretty disappointing, it's the same feeling we've had the last three times. We're pushing them but at key moments they are standing up. We're asking them to play extremely well and they are."

Provocative batsman Lou Vincent matched egos with the Australians, withstanding a fierce spell of fast bowling from Shaun Tait to post a bold 90 from 113 balls, while the lower order punished an Australian attack missing Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken.

Vincent, who last week claimed the Australians were ego-driven and above the game, followed up his remarks in style by leading the Black Caps to 7-290, a total just short of the England score that was easily enough to defeat Australia in Sydney on Friday.

"It's all about standing up to them," Vincent said, and stand up to them he did. He was struck on the body by Tait, who was easily the best of the Australian bowlers with 1-26 and clocked a delivery at 160.2kmh, comfortably the fastest of the summer.

Whether or not he can break into the pace contingent for the World Cup, the South Australian slinger can legitimately claim to be the fastest bowler in the country. Brett Lee has bowled faster in the past, nudging the magic 100mph barrier, but Tait is consistently notching speeds in the high 150s. He eventually bowled Vincent with a superb inswinger that crashed through his defences.

Meantime, Centre of Excellence mentor Tim Nielsen is expected to be recommended as Australia's next coach at a Cricket Australia board meeting today. The former South Australian wicketkeeper-batsman remains the favourite to succeed John Buchanan, and the announcement may be made as early as today.

Nielsen, who has worked closely with the next generation of cricketers in his role as head of the Brisbane-based academy and has the respect of the senior players from his days as an assistant to Buchanan, may accompany the team to the World Cup if he is endorsed as coach, to ensure a smooth changeover.

The short list of candidates included Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody, until he withdrew from the selection process. There is speculation he will be pursued by England if Duncan Fletcher is removed after the World Cup and a shambolic Ashes tour.

The Herald reported last week that West Indies coach Bennett King, also a former Centre of Excellence coach, had been sounded out for the job, but his contract does not expire until later in the year.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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