Brad Hodge put Victoria in a dominant position after the third day at Melbourne
Cricinfo staff30-Jan-2005
Scorecard
Brad Hodge’s double-century was the highlight of the third day’s play at Melbourne© Getty Images
Brad Hodge put Victoria in a dominant position after the third day at Melbourne. His unbeaten 204 allowed Victoria to declare on 9 for 428, a first-innings lead of 237. Batting a second time, South Australia were 1 for 41 at close of play.Victoria were struggling at 4 for 85 at the start of the third day, but Hodge and Ian Harvey (74) turned things around with a stand of 146 for the fifth wicket. They batted through the morning session, taking the score to 4 for 201, and though Harvey was out soon after, Hodge carried on. At 7 for 257, the Redbacks would have fancied their chances of limiting the deficit, but Shane Warne joined Hodge in a partnership of 150 which shut South Australia out of the match. Warne was finally dismissed for 75, and the declaration came immediately after Hodge reached his double-century.Harvey then struck early when South Australia batted, dismissing Tom Plant for 11, but Luke Williams and Greg Blewett insured against any further Redbacks setbacks.