Balaji sends IA crashing

CHENNAI, AUG 17. A responsible knock by MRF's Rajat Bhatia (151, 238b, 15x4, 2x6) and a fine exhibition of medium pace bowling by Jolly Rovers CC's L. Balaji (six for 34), helped put their teams in a strong position in the MRF-Buchi Babu all-India cricket tournament held here on Friday.

The right-handed Bhatia, who came in at four, attacked the bowling of Hyderabad CA with disdain, and added 231 in 64.2 overs with Tanveer Jabbar (82, 230b, 8x4, 1x6). Hrishikesh Kanitkar did not miss out on the run spree as he compiled a quickfire century (101, 100b, 14x4, 3x6). MRF is now on a strong wicket with a lead of 192 runs.

In a match which commenced on Friday, after electing to bat, Indian Airlines was bundled out for 94 in 35.1 overs. L. Balaji was the wrecker-in-chief picking up six wickets. Balaji picked up five wickets in his second spell from five overs giving away just 15 overs. Jolly Rovers was 171 for three, at close of play, with S. Badrinath (82 not out, 173b, 11x4) and J. Harish (29 not out, 83b, 2x4) getting involved in an unbroken 91-run stand in 30.1 overs for the fourth wicket.

Steady progress by MAC-TNCA XI

At the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, MAC-TNCA XI was 248 for three in reply to KSCA's 385. Hemanth Kumar 88 not out (163b, 10x4, 1x6), J.R. Madanagopal 51 (73b, 6x4) and opener S. Suresh 67 (123b, 6x4, 1x6) were the main scorers for MAC-TNCA. There were a couple of good partnerships which helped MAC-TNCA XI to post this total. Suresh and Badrinath were involved in a 69- run stand for the second wicket in 18.2 overs. Then J.R. Madanagopal and Hemanth Kumar put on 85 runs for the third wicket in 21.1 overs. Earlier, resuming at 322 for seven, Karnataka State CA was bowled out for 385. Off-spinner Dhandapani took all the three wickets that fell today thereby taking his tally to six for 118. Bad light stopped play at 4.26 p.m.

CAB's tail wags

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) made 329 in reply to ONGC's 188. All the tailenders contributed handsomely. Sanjib Sanyal 68 (165b, 7x4, 1x6) and Laxmi Ratan Shukla 83 (108b, 9x4, 2x6) were the top scorers for CAB. Shukla and Sanjib made 130 runs for the seventh wicket in 34 overs. Sarandip Singh ended up with four wickets. In its second innings, ONGC, at close of play, was 165 for one with Sandip Sharma batting at 86 (58b, 8x4, 5x6).

With opener Nilesh Patwardhan batting at 95 (210b, 11x4), Mumbai CA, at stumps, was 198 for four in 79 overs. Earlier, New Zealand CA finished at 329, with the last batsman Drum remaining unbeaten with 60 (42b, 2x4). Left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar claimed five victims.

The scores:

Hyderabad CA 256 in 74.2 overs v MRF 448 for eight in 116 overs (Tanveer Jabbar 82, Rajat Bhatia 151, Hrishikesh Kanitkar 101, Vishnu Vardhan three for 69), at Southern Railway.

Karnataka State CA 385 in 113.5 overs (R. Shanbal 52, D. Johnson 47) v MAC-TNCA XI 248 for three in 73.2 overs (S. Suresh 67, Hemanth Kumar 88 batting, J.R. Madanagopal 51), at MAC `A'.

ONGC 188 in 54.3 overs & 165 for one in 18 overs (Gagan Khoda 39, Sandip Sharma 86 batting, Mitun Manhas 26 batting) v CAB 392 in 114.3 overs (Saikat Mukherjee 36, Sanjib Sanyal 68, Laxmi Ratan Shukla 83, Pradipta Mazumdar 39, Sourashish Lahiri 46 not out), at SRMC.

New Zealand CA 329 in 114.2 overs (Bond 37, Drum 60 not out) v Mumbai CA 198 for four in 79 overs (Nilesh Patwardhan 95 batting), at ICL-Guru Nanak.

Indian Airlines 94 in 35.1 overs (Ishan Ganda 35, L. Balaji six for 34) v Jolly Rovers CC 171 for three in 57 overs (S. Badrinath 82 not out, Ajay Kudua 25, J. Harish 29 not out), at IIT- Chemplast.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Martyn rubs salt in England's wounds
Next     : Gavaskar stresses on need to respect umpires