Hodge on song

Leicestershire’s new Twenty20 recruit Brad Hodge has been in devastating form to help Victoria into the preliminary final of Australia’s domestic T20 tournament.

His unbeaten 56-ball 90 helped his state into the KFC Big Bash preliminary final with a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Tasmania in front of a record crowd of 43,125 at the MCG.

Hodge blasted five sixes in his knock as he and fellow opener Aaron Finch (58 not out off 39 balls), set a record stand of 147 to chase down Victoria’s 147.

It was vintage Hodge in front of his big home crowd, bludgeoning the Tigers attack to all corners.

The knock included one huge six over mid-wicket off Rana Naved, which was said to have landed more than 20 rows back in the Great Southern Stand.

Victoria now face a winner-takes-all match against either Queensland or Western Australia.

The victor of that game will host Tuesday night's preliminary final and the winner of that fixture will play South Australia for the title.