New Zealand 'A' enters semifinals

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 12. The Kiwis seem to be on a mission to prove that their title-triumph in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai recently was no flash in the pan. They carved out yet another methodical, 50-run win over Robin Singh-led Sical amidst some drama to move into the semifinal of the Coromandel King Moin-ud- Dowla Gold Cup cricket tournament at Lal Bahadur Stadium here on Wednesday.

A wonderfully paced knock by wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Nevin (73, 74 balls, 14x4) helped New Zealand `A', electing to bat, post a respectable 258 in 49 overs.

After seeing his partner Mathew Horne (0) run out, the Pakistan- bound Nevin combined well with G.Sulzberger (59, 84 balls, 4x4) to put on 99 for the third wicket in 104 balls and the innings back on the rails.

The two displayed admirable technique and temperament on a slow pitch which required some circumspection and good stroke selection. At one stage, the Kiwis were 161 for three in 30 overs and it looked as if they would cross the 300-mark quite comfortably after H. Marshall (47, 54 balls, 2x4) and Jacob Oram (34, 41 balls, 3x4, 1x6) put on 63 runs in 79 balls for the fourth wicket. But they were surprised by the efficacy of off- breaks from Robin Singh (two for 58) who struck two quick blows - bowling Sulzberger round his legs and then trapping Marshall lbw with a straighter one.

Interestingly, in the slog overs it was slow bowlers Satyajit Medappa (one for 39) and K.Srinivasan (two for 59) who shared the bowling with their captain. And they were very effective in restricting the Kiwis to a modest total.

Sical chase began in overcast conditions and within minutes gloom descended on its camp as fast bowler Chris Drum bowled an exceptional spell (four for 32). Venkat Parthban (6) and N. Lokesh (0) were bowled by absolute beauties to reduce Sical to 19 for three after Badri Akkavar was run out earlier going for a suicidal run.

Bad light stopped play for 50 minutes and the target was revised to 234 in 40 overs. Though Reuben Paul (36, 37 balls, 5x4) played some lusty strokes with authority, the end was always round the corner as Mathew Bell picked up a beautiful catch at short mid-on off leg-spinner Brookes Walker.

This saw Robin Singh who brought in air of excitement. He made his intentions clear effortlessly swinging Walker for a six and off-driving with elan to the fence in one over. Much to the chagrin of Sical camp, a sharp drizzle stopped play with the score reading 132 for seven in 27 overs.

Robin was apparently not happy with the Kiwis' enthusiasm to come off the field even as the latter insisted that the bowler's run up had become wet and slippery. However, Sical wanted to continue play as it felt it had an outside chance then needing 102 runs in 13 overs.

Even as the players walked off the ground, Reuben Paul was seen engaged in animated discussion with the New Zealanders. ``If you don't want to play in these conditions, then prefer to play the final straight away,'' was his reply to the rivals' query ``what sort of game do you want us to play.''

In the ultimate analysis this interruption saw the target again revised, this time to an impossible one - from Sical point of view - to 213 from 34 overs. Effectively it meant on resumption in the next seven overs, Sical was to score 81 runs. Quite predictably, it fell short of the target despite the best of efforts of Robin Singh (55 not out, 65 balls, 5x4, 1x6).

Fine bowling by left-arm spinner Vidyuth Sivaramakrishnan (three for 52) and good knock by S. Suresh (60) were the highlights of India Cements' thrilling, three-wicket win off the penultimate ball over Hyderabad at Gymkhana Grounds.

Indian Overseas Bank moved into the last four stage by spin of coin after the contest against Indian Railways was washed out without a ball being bowled in the second session at ECIL Grounds. This after IOB posted a huge score of 300 for nine with Amit Pathak (69, 9x4) and Hemant Kumar (94, 6x4) batting with authority.

MRF took the more authentic route to enter semifinal with a convincing, 128-run win over Associated Banks thanks to fine century by Vikram Rathour (100, 4x4, 3x6).

Thursday is a rest and the semifinals are scheduled for Friday.

The scores: Quarterfinals: At LB Stadium: New Zealand `A' 258 in 49 overs (Chris Nevin 73, G.Sulzberger 59, Marshall 47, Jacob Oram 34) bt Sical 163 for nine in 34 overs (S.Reuben Paul 36, Robin Singh 55 not out, Chris Drum four for 32).

At ECIL: Indian Overseas Bank 300 for nine in 50 overs (Siva Kumar 36, Amit Pathak 69, Laxmi Kumar 32, Hemant Kumar 94, Sree Kumar Nair 30, Musavir Khote three for 60, Prahlad Rawat three for 46) vs Indian Railways. No play after lunch. IOB won by spin of coin.

At Gymkhana: Hyderabad 234 for seven (A. Nandakishore 44, Anirudh Singh 72, D. Vinay Kumar 34, Mohd Ghouse 32, Vidyuth Sivaramakrishnan three for 52) lost to India Cements 221 for seven in 42.5 overs (S. Suresh 60, R.R. Parida 30, Sunil Oasis 47, D.J. Gokulkrishnan 30 not out, J. Shivaji Yadav three for 35).

At AOC: MRF 271 for seven (Vikram Rathour 100, Tanveer Jabbar 41, S. Sriram 40 not out, P. Krishna Kumar three for 62) bt Associated Banks 143 (Daniel Manohar 38, B. Akhil 30, Ashish Kapoor four for 34, S. Sriram three for 28).

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