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Hodge waits for news on Symonds

Andrew Symonds' expected comeback to face South Africa on Saturday is likely to sideline Brad Hodge

Cricinfo staff
19-Mar-2007


Brad Hodge says he's in the form of his life, but it might not be enough to get a game against South Africa © Getty Images
Andrew Symonds' expected comeback to face South Africa on Saturday is likely to sideline Brad Hodge, despite his brutal first one-day century in the win over The Netherlands. Hodge has borrowed a line from Glenn McGrath, thinking he is in the best form of his career, and believes there is nothing more he can do to hold his spot after two 90s and a century in his past eight games.
"I'm in the side at the moment and my job is to perform and make runs," he said in The Age. "I've done that today. Next week is a different prospect and that is the reality for me at the moment."
Alex Kountouris, the physiotherapist, said Symonds would be clear to play in the vital match against South Africa if he could finish ten overs during a training session. Symonds is recovering from arm surgery and is almost back to full strength.
"From Tuesday onwards, there will be very little restrictions on him, certainly no batting, very little fielding and he'll be bowling a lot more in the nets," Kountouris told the paper. "He's about 85 or 90%, his bowling effort at the moment. That will go to 100% on Tuesday ... He's looking like being available for the next game at this point, but it is a week away. Hopefully, I can just hand him over to the team and they can decide whether they want to pick him or not."
Hodge's 123 off 89 balls drove Australia to a comfortable 229-run win against The Netherlands on Sunday and it eased his worry that he might never earn a one-day hundred. "It's a good personal milestone," he said. If both Australia and South Africa qualify for the next stage the team that wins on Saturday will carry two points into the Super Eights.