Hodge presents case for permanent spot in Australia team

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Mar 19 (Reuters) Brad Hodge presented his case for a permanent place in the Australia team and underlined the strength of the World Cup squad with a maiden one-day international century against the Netherlands.

The quick-footed Hodge, who scored 97 and 99 not out against New Zealand this year, scored 123 with seven sixes in Australia's 358 for five yesterday. Champions Australia won the Group A match by 229 runs.

If, as expected, Andrew Symonds is fit for Saturday's final group match against South Africa, Hodge may not now be the man to make way for the all-rounder.

''When Symo is 100 percent right and ready to come back it's going to be a really tough decision that has to be made,'' captain Ricky Ponting told a news conference.

''Brad's impressed everybody with the way he has played in the last few months ... in New Zealand he played beautifully and he played beautifully again today.

''He bowled some handy overs against Scotland as well and he gets around the field very well. He's a very complete one-day player.

Right at the moment he's putting a great case forward to stay in the team.'' Hodge said the decision about the team to play the biggest match of the first round was out of his hands.

''I'm really enjoying playing cricket at the moment,'' he said.

''It's something I've enjoyed the whole summer and there's not a great deal more I can do personally.

''It's a simple recipe at the moment, I feel I'm playing as good as I can ever play, it's just an enjoyable time for me.

''It's a great personal milestone, especially after getting a couple of 90s.'' REUTERS PDS PM0431