Date:05/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/05/stories/2008020554161800.htm

Sport - Cricket

India Cements in semifinals

KOCHI: India Cements (Chennai) ended the giant-killing run of local side Globstar Telecom with a 87-victory and marched into the semifinals of the 21st BPCL Kochi Refinery all-India cricket tournament at the BPCL Ground, Ambalamugal, on Monday.

Globstar, Ernakulam’s premier league champion, had stunned the star-studded Mumbai BPCL in its last encounter but on Monday, chasing 217, it could manage just 129 with spinner S. Sureshkumar doing much of the damage with his spell of five for 40.

India Cements, which had opted to bat, prospered through a 117-run second-wicket stand between Varun Kumar and opener Thalaivan.

Indian Bank failed to capitalise on captain P. Satheesh’s61 (46bs, 9x4) and folded up at 131.

Vijaya Bank did not face much trouble in reaching the target with Shyam Ponnappa (33) and C.M. Goutham (38) making the bulk of the runs.

The scores: India Cements (Chennai) 216 for seven in 30 overs (Varun Kumar 69, Thalaivan 49) bt Globstar Telecom (Ernakulam) 129 in 24.2 overs (S. Suresh Kumar five for 40).

Indian Bank (Chennai) 131 in 24.4 overs (P. Satheesh 61) lost to Vijaya Bank (Bangalore) 136 for three in 20.2 overs.