Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051254801900.htm

Sport

India wins fourth successive title

Colombo: India clinched its fourth successive women’s Asia Cup cricket title by thrashing Sri Lanka by a massive margin of 177 runs in the final at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala on Sunday.

The two teams clashed in the final for the fourth successive time and once again it was the Indians who came up trumps.

Player of the Match, Asha Rawat, fell short of a well-deserved hundred by three runs, while skipper Mithali Raj once again starred with a 66-run knock to help India put on 260 for seven in 50 overs.

The defending champion then bundled out the host for 83 in 35.2 overs with Pujare Seema and Neetu David picking up three wickets apiece.

Electing to bat, the Indians were dealt an early blow with opener Jaya Sharma departing in the second over without scoring a run.

Rawat then joined Kavita Jain (28) to steady the innings before the latter was also sent back by S. de Alwis with the scoreboard reading 75.

Mithali and Rawat then made sure there were no further hiccups as the two steered the Indians towards a big score.

While Rawat struck 12 fours and a six in her 114-ball knock, Mithali hit six fours in her 72-ball stay at the crease.

Seema and David wrecked the Sri Lankan line-up as India cruised to its fourth successive title triumph.

The Player of the Tournament, all-rounder Rumeli Dhar, and Jhulan Goswami also picked up a wicket each.

Reward from BCCI

At Mumbai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Sharad Pawar, on Sunday congratulated the women’s cricket team for winning the Asia Cup and also announced a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh each to the 15 members of the squad.

The scores: India 260 for seven in 50 overs (Asha Rawat 97, Mithali Raj 66, S. Siriwardene four for 53) bt Sri Lanka 83 in 35.2 overs. — PTI