Date:23/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/23/stories/2006082305542000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Joshpura, Verma score centuries

Special Correspondent

Parthiv Patel too chips in with a hundred

CHENNAI: Gujarat's Hem Joshpura and Andhra Pradesh's A.S.K. Verma starred in the third-round of the Mindteck-Buchi Babu tournament that got underway here on Tuesday.

Joshpura struck 18 fours and two sixes on his way to 150 off 225 balls, as his side totalled 359 against Kerala. The opener put on 205 for the third wicket with Parthiv Patel, who scored 101 (170b, 10x4). Jay Desai chipped in with an undefeated 42. Medium-pacer Robert Fernandez and leg-spinner Shyamjith claimed four wickets each for Kerala.

Andhra, however, couldn't capitalise on birthday-boy Verma's unbeaten 250-ball 155 that contained 23 fours and a five. Madhya Pradesh medium-pacer Rajesh Kanojia scalped five batsmen to help bowl Andhra out for 296. Verma shared a 161-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Mohd. Saiq, who made 53 (123b, 4x4).

Kanwat, Doru bat well

Inserted at ICL-Gurunanak, Rajasthan, posted 316 for eight in 90 overs against TNCA President's XI. Rahul Kanwat (84, 116b, 10x4) and Nikhil Doru (77, 169b, 9x4) added 151 in 40.1 overs. Vishank Yagnil (37 n.o.) and Afroz Khan (38) made crucial lower order contributions.At Mayajaal, Combined Districts XI dismissed Hyderabad for 225 after inviting it to bat. Paceman Avinash returned figures of five for 44. Skipper Anirudh Singh top-scored for Hyderabad with a 116-ball 66 (9x4), while Ambati Rayadu made 48. At 127 for six at one stage, Hyderabad, recovered through a partnership of 62 between Singh and Amol Shinde.The scores:

At Pach: AP 296 in 90 overs (A.S.K. Verma 155 n.o., Mohd. Saiq 53, Rajesh Kanojia five for 75) vs MP.

At ICL-Gurunanak: Rajasthan 316 for eight in 90 overs (Rahul Kanwat 84, Nikhil Doru 77) vs TNCA President's XI.

At Mayajaal: Hyderabad 225 in 85.1 overs (A.T. Rayadu 48, Anirudh Singh 66, A. Avinash five for 44) vs Combined Districts XI 21 for no loss in two overs.

At CPT-IP: Gujarat 359 in 89.2 overs (Hem Joshpura 150, Parthiv Patel 101, Jay Desai 42 n.o., Robert Fernandez four for 53, Shyamjith four for 89) vs Kerala.

At SRMC turf: Vidarbha 184 in 64 overs (Sameer Khare 42) vs SPIC-TNCA XI 95 for two in 26 overs.