Coach's Corner: Hodge the best
Sat, 7 November 2009
It has been a big first fortnight of the new season, highlighted by Clinton McKay’s outstanding Australian debut, Andrew McDonald’s call-up for India and Brad Hodge and Chris Rogers’ continuing mastery at the head of the order. Brad’s back-to-back centuries in Adelaide were masterly efforts and for me highlighted his standing as the best Victorian domestic player to ever wear the navy blue. He continues to have a massive hunger to win games for Victoria and is hugely respected by opposition teams across the country. Players and coaches shake their heads in amazement that he hasn’t found regular opportunity at higher level. Chris Rogers has also had a stellar start. He’s the thorough professional, had an unbelievable first season last year and has set the tone again this summer with a near 200 run stand with Brad in the opening Shield game in Adelaide. It augers well for another good season for him, one in which we hope can also include an Australian recall. Like Brad he deserves it. Leading into Saturday’s first MCG home game of the year against the Tigers, we all enjoyed seeing Clint McKay do so well on his Australian ODI debut in India. He got three huge wickets and was really important in an Australian victory. He has been producing the goods and getting the job done. Now we’d love to see Jon Holland make his debut and Andrew McDonald come back into the mix. That would really cap it all off. The call-ups at Australian level and injuries to boys like Damien Wright and Dirk Nannes has triggered the promotion of some new faces and that’s healthy as we look to win early games and build ourselves into a position where we can contest more finals. It’s great to be back in Melbourne and at the MCG where we have played some exceptional cricket in the last 12 months or so. Ahead are a one-dayer with Western Australia next weekend followed by the Shield game. Having again missed out on maximum points in Adelaide, we’d love to get six of the best against the lads from the Wacker. It’s a real opportunity approaching the first Test with the West Indies for so many of our squad. We hope to welcome back our captain in Cameron White and Clint, Jon Holland and Ronnie McDonald, too. It makes for some selection headaches but as I say to the boys competition is what it is all about. If they are playing well enough their time will come. They just have to grab the opportunity when it is there. Michael Hill and Glenn Maxwell had their first games on Saturday. Others will also receive call-ups in the weeks ahead. It makes for an exciting scenario as the season gets into full swing.
By GREG SHIPPERD, head coach of the Victorian Bushrangers
