Report
Mumbai CA gain first innings lead
Mumbai CA XI took a first innings lead of 26 runs on the second day of their three day match against the visiting Kenyan team at the Wankhede stadium on Thursday
Partab Ramchand
28-Apr-2000
Mumbai CA XI took a first innings lead of 26 runs on the second day of their three day match against the visiting Kenyan team at the Wankhede stadium on Thursday.
Mumbai declared their innings at the overnight score of 179 for nine. The Kenyans lost wickets at regular intervals and were all out for 153. None of the batsmen really stayed for any length of time. They were on the backfoot from the first over when D Otieno was out for a duck. The other opener Ravindu Shah was the top scorer with 37 compiled off 63 balls with two fours. Off spinner Khanolkar (3 for 27) and left arm medium pacer Sandeep Dahad (2 for 27) were the main wicket takers.
In the remaining time, Mumbai scored 70 for two in their second innings. Praful Dhule (22 not out) and skipper Kiran Powar (32) added 54 runs for the second wicket off eight overs.
Full postSatish's 169 places Tamil Nadu in final
The stage seemed set for a keen duel for the all important first innings lead
Partab Ramchand
28-Apr-2000
The stage seemed set for a keen duel for the all important first innings lead. But thanks to some fine batting by R Satish, this never came about. The Tamil Nadu right hander stroked his way to a splendid 169 as his team rather comfortably took the lead against Hyderabad in their group B game and qualified for the final of the Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu were 224 for six in reply to Hyderabad's first innings score of 283 when play resumed on the final morning. The overnight not out batsmen Satish and Shrinivas steered Tamil Nadu close to their target. Then at 272, Shrinivas was out for 49 compiled off 138 balls and inclusive of four hits to the ropes. In the same over Ghous Baba got rid of Vasudevan for a duck and at 272 for eight, Tamil Nadu were suddenly under some pressure. However Raghuram hit three successive fours of Baba and Tamil Nadu achieved their objective.
Following this, Satish and Raghuram batted with gay abandon and proceeded to add 114 runs for the ninth wicket off 17 overs. Satish, who had come in when Tamil Nadu were precariously placed at 31 for four in the ninth over, was finally out at 386 in the 108th over. For his exemplary 169, Satish batted a shade over six hours, faced 293 balls and hit 24 fours. Off the next delivery, Raghuram was out for a breezy 62. He faced only 50 balls and hit seven fours and two sixes. Ghous Baba finished with five for 95.
In the remaining time, Hyderabad scored 160 for five off 46 overs. Opener Karthik Ramaswamy (46) and skipper Anirudh Singh (60 not out) added 64 runs for the second wicket off 18.5 overs. The match was called off after eight mandatory overs.
Full postKarnataka under-19 team make winning start
The Karnataka under-19 team made a winning start to their tour of Sri Lanka when they defeated the Sri Lanka Schools Combined Under-19 side by 94 u runs in a two day game at the De Zoyasa stadium in Moratuwa on Thursday
Charlie Austin
28-Apr-2000
The Karnataka under-19 team made a winning start to their tour of Sri Lanka when they defeated the Sri Lanka Schools Combined Under-19 side by 94 u runs in a two day game at the De Zoyasa stadium in Moratuwa on Thursday.
The game was played on 70 overs a side. The visiting team were all out for 237 in 66 overs on Wednesday. The Lankan team in reply folded up for 143 runs off 47 overs. Wickets fell at regular intervals and no batsman, save M Fernando, put up a fight. Fernando scored 50 not out. After five wickets had fallen for 66 runs, Fernando and Chandana (16) added 30 runs for the sixth wicket. Later, Fernando and K Anthony (18) added 39 runs for the eighth wicket. But the home team never really got anywhere the Karnataka side's total and their final score was inflated by as many as 30 extras. Medium pacer G Lhaitra was the most successful bowler with four for 41. He was ably supported by S Lazarus (2 for 26) and P Hajeri (2 for 24).
Full postHampshire v Zimbabweans - Day 1 report
On a rare dry April day, the Zimbabweans made an encouraging start to their first Test-playing tour of England with a day in the field
John Ward
27-Apr-2000
On a rare dry April day, the Zimbabweans made an encouraging start to their first Test-playing tour of England with a day in the field. They dismissed a weakened and rather feeble Hampshire team for 131, and finished the day on 9 for one wicket.
Andy Flower is not playing in this first match of the tour - they wanted to give Tatenda Taibu a game, he said - and with vice-captain Heath Streak, a former Hampshire overseas player flying in the same morning, the captaincy devolved upon Flower's predecessor Alistair Campbell. The Northlands Road ground at Hampshire has had the worst of a soaking April, with two Benson & Hedges matches scheduled there abandoned and the first play of the season could only begin after lunch when the bowlers' run-ups had dried.
Campbell won the toss and put Hampshire in to bat in front of a crowd of about 500. His reason was primarily that Zimbabwe have lacked outdoor practice since their arrival in the country and were looking forward to getting out in the open.
The Hampshire batsmen were soon struggling against determined bowlers who swung the new ball well and also found some movement off the pitch.
Full postZimbabwe scrap through for a draw
In a cauldron of hazy sunshine, frenzied appealing and real tension at Welegadera Stadium in Kurunegala, Zimbabwe just held on for a draw in this the first of three unofficial test matches
Charlie Austin
27-Apr-2000
In a cauldron of hazy sunshine, frenzied appealing and real tension at Welegadera Stadium in Kurunegala, Zimbabwe just held on for a draw in this the first of three unofficial test matches. Starrting the day 160 runs in arrears with ten wickets remaining, they survived to the close, finishing on 174 for 8.
When the Sri Lankan's look back over the match they will be able to clearly identify yesterday morning as the time they wasted an opportunity to win in this match. During that period of play the needs of the team took secondary place to the personal desires of the batsmen. Desperate to impress the selectors and thus reluctant to take the necessary risks they scored only 58 runs in the session. The end result of this was that the declaration was delayed and Zimbabwe only faced five overs in the evening.
For most of the day it looked as if the match was destined for a draw. However the last session saw the game come alight as the Sri Lankan bowlers threw everything they had at the Zimbabwean's in a one brave last effort. A match, which had seemed safe at the tea with the visitors on 135, started to slip from the grasp of the Zimbabwean's.
Gavin Rennie (90) the anchor of the innings, who had batted for 268 minutes, was well caught at second slip immediately after the interval off the bowling of Kaushalya Weereratne. The wicket lit a spark in the Sri lankans who suddenly sensed a dramatic victory was possible afterall. Andy Blignaut (1), the hero of the first innings then pushed back a return catch to off-spinner Thilan Samaraweera to leave the Sri Lankan's 144-6 with a minimum of rwenty overs remaining to the close.
Full postYashpal Sharma benefit: Kapil's XI wins by five runs
The Yashpal Sharma benefit match played in New Delhi on Wednesday between Kapil's XI and Tendulkar's XI was a welcome change after the recent match fixing scandal as a number of Indian cricket stars, past and present, picked up the willow to do what
Natrajan Sriram
27-Apr-2000
The Yashpal Sharma benefit match played in New Delhi on Wednesday between Kapil's XI and Tendulkar's XI was a welcome change after the recent match fixing scandal as a number of Indian cricket stars, past and present, picked up the willow to do what they do best - play the game.
Put in to bat, Kapil's XI posted 251 for eight in their alloted 40 overs with Saba Karim (88) and the battle scared Kapil Dev (60) being the top scorers. In reply, Tendulkar's XI were 158 for 8. Then Ashish Nehra (19), Murali Karthik (42) and Ajit Agarkar (32) put up a strong rearguard action. But that was not enough as Tendulkar's team were all out for 246 in 39.4 overs.
Full postGirilal, Sorab thrash Karnataka bowling
Kerala openers Varun Girilal and MP Sorab made merry at the expense of the Karnataka bowling on the second day of their Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament group A match at the Maharaja Jayamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Complex in Bangalore
Partab Ramchand
27-Apr-2000
Kerala openers Varun Girilal and MP Sorab made merry at the expense of the Karnataka bowling on the second day of their Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament group A match at the Maharaja Jayamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Complex in Bangalore on Wednesday. The in form batsmen shared a partnership of 366 runs off 101.2 overs as Kerala scored 410 for three in reply to Karnataka's first innings total of 264 at close.
Resuming at 68 for no loss, Kerala had things pretty much their own way during the day, thanks to the form exhibited by Girilal and Sorab. In the last match against Andhra, Girilal scored 77 while Sorab had carried his bat for 255. On Wednesday, they put the Karnataka bowling to the sword and the first innings lead was obtained without loss after 72.2 overs. Both the batsmen were equally aggressive and even though the Karnataka captain tried out eight bowlers, they just went about decimating the attack. At lunch the score was 199 and at tea it had progressed to 296.
Ultimately it took the second new ball taken at 360 after 100 overs to break the partnership. Sorab was the first to be dismissed, caught by Shanbal off medium pacer Sunil Kumar for 183. He batted 430 minutes, faced 337 balls and hit 26 fours and a six. In his next over, Sunil Kumar had Girilal caught by Shanbal for 154. Girilal batted 441 minutes, faced 288 balls and hit 22 fours and a six. Sunil Kumar took a third wicket in his following over dismissing C Sanju for a duck. But CM Shyam with a breezy unbeaten 26 off 20 balls with six hits to the ropes brought up the 400 shortly before close. Sunil Kumar was the only bowler to be somewhat effective and finished with three for 93.
Full postSatish leads Tamil Nadu recovery
Tamil Nadu made a strong recovery on the second day of their Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament against Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Wednesday
Partab Ramchand
27-Apr-2000
Tamil Nadu made a strong recovery on the second day of their Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament against Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Wednesday. Their rally, which saw Tamil Nadu end the day at 224 for six, has made the game interesting. For Tamil Nadu now need 60 runs with four wickets in hand to take the all important first innings lead. The only two teams in group B of the competition, the first innings will decide the issue in case there is no decision in the match.
A fine spell by opening bowler Baba saw Tamil Nadu reeling at 31 for four by the ninth over. Baba took three of the wickets. SP Lakshmi Kumar (34) and S Satish then initiated a recovery process by adding 61 runs for the fifth wicket off 17 overs. Lakshmi Kumar who faced 64 balls hit four fours and a six. The recovery process was maintained with Satish and Dhandapani (20) sharing a sixth wicket partnership of 62 runs off 21 overs. And finally Satish and MR Shrinivas added a further 70 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket off 27.1 overs. Satish's 92 has so far been compiled off 191 balls with the help of 13 fours. Shrinivas' 32 has come off 88 balls with three fours. Baba after that opening burst took no more wickets but was still the most successful bowler with three for 56.
Earlier, Hyderabad resuming at 242 for eight did well to get 283, thanks in the main to a fine unbeaten 59 by Amresh Kumar. He faced 107 balls and hit five fours and two sixes.
Full postKenya dominate on opening day
Kenya's three pronged attack of Martin Suji, Tony Suji and M Odoyo had Mumbai CA XI on the rack before the home team made a recovery to end with 179 for nine at stumps on the first day of their three day game at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday
Partab Ramchand
27-Apr-2000
Kenya's three pronged attack of Martin Suji, Tony Suji and M Odoyo had Mumbai CA XI on the rack before the home team made a recovery to end with 179 for nine at stumps on the first day of their three day game at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday.
Winning the toss, Mumbai ran into trouble and never really recovered till late in the day. Odoyo dismissed both the openers Vinayak Mane and Praful Dhule. Then Martin Suji took three wickets to wreck the middle order. And Tony Suji then stepped in to take a couple of wickets.
MCA XI were down in the dumps at 67 for eight but there was an unexpected recovery. Wicketkeeper Abhijit Shetye joined No 8 Sandeep Dahad and the two proceeded to add 104 runs for the ninth wicket off 49.3 overs. Shetye who batted in dogged fashion for 214 minutes to score 31 was finally leg before to Shah. He faced 148 balls and hit seven fours. At close, Swapnil Hazare (5) was keeping Dahad company. For his unbeaten 65, Dahad has so far batted 262 minutes. He faced 181 balls and hit seven fours. Martin Suji (3 for 26), Odoyo (3 for 53) and Tony Suji (2 for 21) failed to add to their initial burst of wickets.
Full postSri Lanka misses an opportunity to put pressure on the Zimbabweans
Zimbabwe came into day three of this unofficial test match with a plan
Charlie Austin
26-Apr-2000
Zimbabwe came into day three of this unofficial test match with a plan. A plan as simple and timeless as any to have been developed in the history of cricket: To restrict the scoring rate through defensive field placings and a leg stump line so as to ensure that they had to bat for as little time as possible.
Quite inexplicably they totally outmaneuvered the Sri Lankans in the morning session. By restricting the visitors to 58 runs in 32 overs they ensured that they only had to bat for five overs in the evening, rather than the 30 that that had looked probable last night. By doing so they well have saved the match. By the close Zimbabwe had scored 8 without loss after dismissing the Sri Lankans for 474.
Zimbabwe's strategy was quite obvious from before the start of play. Even during the practice beforehand the spinners could watched grooving their leg-side line. When Raymond Price and birthday boy, Daniel Peacock, started an uninterrupted morning spell, they immediately started propelling the ball towards or outside the batsmen's legs. Desperately keen to impress the selectors, the batsmen, Dilshan (37) and Hewage (135), were not prepared to take the risks necessary to counter such a policy. Apart from two solitary boundaries from Dilshan in the morning session the batsmen were quite conten to pick up the occasional leg bye and single from the sweep.
Following some harsh words from an unimpressed management, the batsmen tried to raise the tempo after lunch. However the defensive approach of the preceding two hours had weighed down the normally nimble footed Dilshan. Failing to move his feet whilst trying an expansive drive he was consequently bowled by Daniel Peacock in the 105 over of the innings.
Full postMost Read
Writers