Andhra redeems pride, takes third place

By Our Sports Reporter

FARIDABAD, OCT. 20. Andhra Pradesh redeemed some of its pride by taking the third position with a 22-run victory over Karnataka, in the third place play-off in the National women's cricket championship at the Nahar Singh Stadium here on Saturday.

Having fared miserably in the batting department in its semifinal loss to Air India on Friday, Andhra, last edition's runner-up, made amends. Middle-order bat Sudha Rani compiled a strokeful 67, which included eight boundaries, as Andhra posted a challenging 189.

Karnataka began in right earnest but lost its grip midway through as the asking rate kept mounting. Karnataka openers, Hema Malini (21) and Bollamma (36), gave a good start but the target of 190 always seemed out of reach.

Middle-order bat Mamta Maben (25) hit two boundaries, but her effort was not enough. Mamta and her captain, Nooshin, added 35 runs for the seventh wicket but the overs dried up. Nooshin remained unbeaten on 22 with Ruth Maben (10 not out) as Karnataka's innings ended on 167 for nine.

Andhra made a slow start after electing to bat. Opener Priyadarshini, for the second successive day, was run out early in the innings. Archana (18) and Savitha Nirala (20) added some quick runs before Archana departed, leg before wicket to Bollamma.

Sudha joined Savitha in the middle and Andhra's score kept moving. Sudha first added 36 runs for the third wicket with Savitha and followed it up with a 57-run fourth-wicket stand with Monica Preety. Andhra suffered a setback when its skipper, Sri Rekha, pulled a calf muscle while taking a run and was out for 14. She was carried off the ground and she seemed to have aggravated her problems when one of the team officials did a massage on the affected leg.

On taking the field Andhra, however, did well to defend its total even without its captain.

The scores:

Andhra Pradesh: Priyadarshini (run out) 2, Archana lbw b Bollamma 18, Savitha Nirala b Nooshin 20, Sudha Rani b Mamta Maben 67, Monica Preety lbw b Deepika 14, Suvarna Laxmi lbw b Rashmi 1, Sri Rekha (run out) 14, Diana David b Nooshin 8, Savitha Kumari c Laxmi b Nooshin 2, Anna Maria c Karuna b Nooshin 1, Shranavthi (not out) 0; Extras (b-4, lb-4, nb-1, w-33) 42, Total (in 49.1 overs) 189.

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-46, 3-82, 4- 139, 5-145, 6-170, 7-185, 8-185, 9-188.

Karnataka bowling: Mamta 10-1-37-1, Ruth Maben 3-0-18-0, Bollamma 3-0-17-1, Roopa 5-0-15-0, Nooshin 9.1-4- 15-4, Rashmi 10-0-48-1, Deepika 9-0-31-1.

Karnataka: Hema Malini b Savitha Kumari 21, Bollamma (run out) 36, Deepika b Savitha Nirala 7, Rashmi (run out) 2, Roopa c Suvarna b Savitha Kumari 12, Mamta Maben c Suvarna b Savitha Nirala 25, Karuna Jain b Suvarna 0, Nooshin (not out) 22, Nazeera c Priya b Diana 1, Lakshmi Hariharan (run out) 2, Ruth (not out) 10; Extras (b-1, lb-6, nb-2, w-20) 29, Total (for nine wickets in 50 overs) 167.

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-62, 3-65, 4-94, 5-100, 6-100, 7-135, 8- 138, 9-144.

Andhra bowling: Suvarna Laxmi 10-0-34-1, Anna Maria 6-0-28-0, Savitha Kumari 10-3-28-2, Monica Preety 7-1- 24-0, Diana David 8- 2-21-1, Savitha Nirala 9-1-25-2.

Sunday's schedule: Final: Railways v Air India.

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