Hodge hundred puts Victoria in control

Victoria 6 for 340 (Hodge 119, Hussey 86) v New South Wales
Scorecard

Brad Hodge's 119 gave Victoria a useful advantage in their top-of-the-table clash with New South Wales as the teams prepare for a likely reunion in next month's final. While both sides have two games remaining after this one, they have a 12-point lead over third-placed Western Australia and would need a disaster not to qualify for the decider.

The Bushrangers' strong display was set up by Hodge and David Hussey and they finished at a healthy 6 for 340 at stumps. The pair combined for a 185-run stand at almost four an over that lifted them from the discomfort of 2 for 43.

Hodge, who passed 10,000 first-class runs during the innings, reached his century by tea while Hussey fell for a well-made 86 to the last delivery before the break, glancing a legside Dominic Thornely ball to Daniel Smith. Beau Casson removed Hodge in the final session, giving Smith another legside catch, and he left the ground with 17 boundaries from his 212-ball stay.

Cameron White, the captain, continued Victoria's dominance when he reached 54, but Mark Cameron stepped in with a couple of late wickets. He bowled White and Matthew Wade to collect 3 for 78 as New South Wales finished on a high. Whichever team gets first-innings points is guaranteed a spot in the final while the other needs something from the remaining matches to make it through.