Stars shine in Premier Cricket

Hodge and White were the star attractions, along with Sri Lankan quick Lasith Malinga who turned out for Hawthorn-Monash Uni ahead of his KFC T20 Big Bash League debut.

At the Camberwell Sports Ground, Hodge was given a life on the second ball of the innings, put down at first slip while opening the batting for Melbourne.

The perennial run-machine made the Magpies pay, blasting 11 fours and 10 massive sixes during his 125 from just 65 deliveries.

Hodge was eventually dismissed by Melbourne Renegades fast bowler Brendan Drew, who was the pick of Camberwell’s bowlers, taking 3-32 from his four overs.

At Central Reserve, Cameron White got some invaluable T20 match form ahead of Friday’s BBL opener between the Stars and Renegades at Etihad Stadium with a swashbuckling 100 not out against Essendon.

White hit three fours and seven sixes in his 58-ball century, his second 50 requiring just 14 deliveries which ensured Richmond’s target proved insurmountable for the Bombers.

Renegades leggie James Muirhead returned impressive figures for St Kilda at the weekend, taking 2-18 and 2-11 against the Blues and Roos respectively, as the Saints continued their good T20 form.

Stars batman Peter Handscomb made 45 against the Roos as his strong start to the season continues.

Stars all-rounder Glenn Maxwell made a welcome return for Fitzroy Doncaster, taking 3-26 from his four overs and making 43 from 41 balls to get the Lions across the line against a Prahran outfit that included David Hussey.

Hussey, the reigning BBL most valuable player, could only manage 11 and his solitary over went for five.

England international and Stars all-rounder Luke Wright made an impressive 49 from 34 balls for Casey-South Melbourne against Northcote.

Wright’s innings included four boundaries and three sixes.

Clive Rose made an accomplished 25 not out and bowled exceptionally, conceding only nine runs in his four overs, bowling a maiden and picking up a wicket as the Swans won comfortably.

Sunday’s action was headlined by the arrival of Malinga, arguably one of the world’s finest T20 bowlers, for the Hawks’ clash with Footscray-Edgewater.

Malinga collected 3-15 from 3.3 overs, with two bowled and an LBW to help the Hawks to their second win for the year.

At the Albert Ground, Renegades teammates Michael Hill and Darren Pattinson faced off against each other when Melbourne confronted Dandenong.

Hill made 27 and Pattinson took 1-34 from his four overs as the Demons beat the Panthers.

At Frankston, Renegades all-rounder Meyrick Buchanan backed up his 30 on Saturday against the Roos with 2-28 from his four overs against the Heat.

Renegades batsman Daniel Harris continued his good form for Fitzroy-Doncaster against the Bombers after making 56.

At Casey Fields, Ryan Carters (55) and Aaron O’Brien’s (2-15) contributions weren’t enough for the Tigers to get over the line against the Swans.

White backed up his unbeaten hundred from the day before with 32, while Rose made another unbeaten 22 for the Swans.

At the University Main Oval, Renegades leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed destroyed Northcote with the astonishing figures of 4-7 from four overs.

For full results from Victorian Premier Cricket, click here.