Andhra and Karnataka have easy outings

Holders Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka scored thumping wins on the third day of the Senior inter-state South Zone women's cricket championship at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College Grounds in Chennai on Wednesday. While Andhra Pradesh got the better of Kerala by eight wickets for their second victory in two matches, Karnataka defeated hosts Tamil Nadu by 58 runs for their second win in three matches.

Batting first, Kerala were restricted to 117 for seven in 50 overs. Opener Shobana was the top scorer with 22 as Savita Kumari (3 for 25) and Suvarna (2 for 22) got the breakthroughs at vital intervals. Though Shobana was dismissed with the score at 47, Padma (19) and Anjali (16) added 40 runs for the fourth wicket. But Savita came back to dismiss Anjali and Anita in quick succession. Then the score ambled along to 117 as Vidhya (5) and Mariamma (6) saw through the overs.

In response, Andhra were given a good start with openers Priya (35 not out) and Savita Nirala (6) adding 23 in just 4.4 overs. Then Sangeeta joined Priya to take the score to 71. Sudha Rani then guided the holders with an unbeaten 46-run third wicket partnership with Priya. This was Kerala's third straight defeat.

In the other match, Karnataka, batting first, posted 162 for nine on the board. Openers Karuna (35) and Bollamma (13) gave a good start putting on 39 runs. Then Mamta Mamben (12) joined Karuna to take the score to 68. But at this juncture three quick wickets - those of Mamta, Karuna and Nooshin - departed with no run being added to the scoreboard. But Deepika (37) and Srivalli (27) added 54 runs for the fifth wicket.

In reply, Tamil Nadu fell woefully short of the target ending with just 104 for 9 in their 50 overs. Only Tejashree (20) along with opener Sejal Salva (11) and Snehal (16) managed to reach double figures. Nooshin was the pick of the bowlers taking three for 19 in 10 overs.