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Victoria qualify for Champions League

January 21, 2009 23:24 IST

Skipper Brad Hodge's courageous effort ensured Victoria a place in Australia's domestic Twenty20 final and a shot at the Champions League.

In reply to Queensland's 112 for six in 20 overs, Victoria's run chase came in for trouble after skipper Hodge tore his hamstring in the opening overs. However, he soldiered on with the help of a runner to notch a match-winning unbeaten 59 in his side's six-wicket win that helped them to become the second team to qualify for the Champions League in October.

Victoria will face New South Wales in Saturday's final in Sydney.

"That's one of the best knocks I've seen from Hodgy," Victoria fast bowler Dirk Nannes was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.

"He's torn his hammy, and we're seven for three, so he was under the pump to pull us out of the fire. But incredibly he did. He was injured but he never looked like getting out. I've been playing under him for years, and this is just another reason why he's one of the best in the business," he said.

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