Hodge and White tame Tigers with centuries

Victoria 5 for 329 (Hodge 153, White 100*) v Tasmania
Scorecard

The spectacle of Shane Warne bowling to Ricky Ponting will have to wait, but Brad Hodge and Cameron White put on a show for the handful of spectators at the MCG as Victoria finished on 5 for 329 against Tasmania. Hodge, one of the forgotten men during talk of Ashes berths, made 153 in front of the national selector Merv Hughes and White was unbeaten on 100.

The pair added 223 for the third wicket after Victoria, who won the toss and batted, were troubled by the new ball. Hodge played a controlled innings as he hit to his strengths, whipping the ball off his pads and driving when he could. One of his least convincing shots was a thick edge past first slip that raced to the boundary, bringing up a 172-ball century. Hodge fell six overs before stumps when he was caught at backward point by Michael Di Venuto from his 251st delivery.

White started slowly but picked up the pace after tea, scoring 64 in the final session as he earned his first Pura Cup century since 2004-05. Like Hodge, White was keen to take advantage of balls on his legs, finishing the day with ten fours and bringing up his hundred from 209 balls. Ponting, who was captaining the Tigers in his first Pura Cup match since 2002-03, spent most of the day at mid-on and mid-off and constantly talked to his young bowlers. He tried a variety of tactics to break the Hodge-White partnership, including testing the theory that Hodge can be susceptible to short balls by having his fast bowlers come around the wicket with a short midwicket and short mid-on.

Hodge said Ponting congratulated him on the way he batted. "I got tested out today and luckily came through," he said. "[They] obviously had a few plans. I felt there was a bit of pressure on this game personally to try and achieve something good and I can be quite pleased with my performance."

The prospect of Warne bowling to Ponting drew extra interest to a Pura Cup clash that has Tasmania, who are top of the table, looking to extend their lead after two wins from their first two games. Australia's captain has a chance to find some form ahead of the first Test and face his team-mate on day two.

White said the pitch could offer some assistance for Warne. "It sounds really a hollow sort of wicket," he said. "I'm not really sure if it will stay together." White said he would consider declaring if the rain and hail forecast for Melbourne on Wednesday eventuates.