Date:22/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/22/stories/2008122256131800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Bengal back among the elite

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Sourav Ganguly left the Karnail Singh Stadium with a trademark smile that characterised his cricket when he was leading the Indian team.

He had been assigned a specific task here and accomplished it in style as Bengal beat Goa by virtue of first innings lead and qualified for the final of the Ranji Trophy Plate division.

It also meant that Bengal graduated to the Elite group. The ignominy of relegation had hurt Ganguly during his comeback journey to the Indian team and a sense of pride marked his final walk from a cricket field in a first-class match. And there was no show of emotion from him.

“I am happy I managed to contribute to Bengal’s cause. It was important we played this match well and it is important the team now plays in the Elite league. It means opportunity to many players. I enjoyed my first-class cricket as much as I enjoyed my international cricket. I will cherish them both,” said Ganguly, whose priceless 69 helped Bengal overcome a few hiccups on the first day.

Ninan misses century

Goa resumed at 166 for seven and the only interest was whether Ryan Ninan would get a century. Though he fell short by 12 runs, he remained unconquered after a 218-ball performance that included nine fours and a six.

The players went through the grind after that even though Manoj Tiwary helped himself to a 92-ball 80 with 10 fours and a six.

Superb catch

A sensational catch at long-on by Robin D’Souza, who plucked the ball even as it threatened to sail over him, was a rare bright moment on an otherwise drab day.

The scores:

Bengal — 1st innings: 337.

Goa — 1st innings: S. Kamat lbw b Bose 0, S. Asnodkar b Bose 1, A. Katkar c Saha b Bose 9, J. Arun Kumar b Bose 16, A. Ratra lbw b Bose 0, A. Desai lbw b Bose 37, Ryan Ninan (not out) 88, S. Jakati lbw b Tiwary 4, R. D’Souza lbw b Sarkar 38, S. Bandekar c Shukla b Sarkar 18, H. Gadekar c Tiwary b Sarkar 9; Extras (lb-8, nb-2): 10; Total (in 83.5 overs): 230.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-27, 4-27, 5-34, 6-124, 7-136, 8-193, 9-215.

Bengal bowling: Bose 26-6-62-6, Dinda 23-3-63-0, Sarkar 12.5-5-20-3, Kundu 4-1-19-0, Choudhury 2-0-7-0, Ganguly 8-2-27-0, Tiwary 4-1-9-1, Shukla 4-1-15-0.

Bengal — 2nd innings: A. Majumdar c Ratra b Bandekar 1, A. Choudhury c Jakati b Gadekar 16, W. Saha b Gadekar 35, M. Tiwary v R. D’Souza b Ninan 80, D. Chakrabarty st. Ratra b Jakati 49, R. Kundu (not out) 9, L. R. Shukla (not out) 0; Extras (b-1, lb-1, nb-1): 3; Total (for five wkts. in 46 overs): 193.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-51, 3-54, 4-164, 5-190.

Goa bowling: Bandekar 10-1-55-1, D’Souza 7-2-13-0, Gadekar 11-4-32-2, Jakati 11-0-53-1, Ninan 7-0-38-1.