Australia's Victoria state cricket team had an overpowering performance on the first day of the three-day match against the West Indies in Melbourne.
Brad Hodge firmly presented his credentials for a test debut next week with a run-a-ball 177 against the visitors as Victoria was 441 for four Friday off 87 overs at the Junction Oval. It was the worst day the West Indians could have had after their 379-run hammering in the first test in Brisbane last week.
The 30-year-old Hodge batted for four hours, smacking 23 fours and five sixes. He has been 12th man for the national team on six occasions and has been named in the 12-man Australian squad against the West Indies in the second test starting in Hobart on November 17.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.