CricInfo Trophy: Railways take big first innings lead

Veteran left arm spinner and skipper Diana Edulji and opening bowler Sunita Kanojia put Railways on course to retaining the National women's cricket championship for the CricInfo Trophy at the Jorhat stadium in Jorhat on Sunday. Replying to Railways' first innings total of 353, Air India, last year's runners-up, were all out for 208. Railways then extended their 145-run first innings lead to 158 by scoring 13 for two in their second innings by close.

In the face of an imposing total, a good start was imperative but Air India did not get it. They lost openers Anju Jain (9) and Anjum Chopra (0) with only ten runs on the board. Mithali Raj (30 off 84 balls with four boundaries) and skipper Poornima Rau (65) then initiated a recovery process by adding 57 runs off 22.3 overs. Mamatha Maben (4) did not last long but Poornima and Smitha Harikrishna (31 off 68 balls with three fours) kept Air India's hopes alive with a fifth wicket partnership of 56 runs off 20 overs.

At 138 for four, Air India were still in the game. But then Diana who has been in women's cricket for nearly quarter of a century showed that she still retained much of her skill. She broke the stand by having Smitha caught behind by the wicketkeeper. And a little later, in three successive overs, she broke the back of the innings by taking the wickets of Poornima (65), Manju Nadgoda (4) and V Kusumlatha (2). The experienced Poornima batted 193 minutes, faced 154 balls and hit ten of them to the ropes. But suddenly Air India were now 153 for eight and facing a follow on.

Sunaina Mehan (33 off 86 balls with four boundaries) and Seema Pujare (11) however added 40 runs for the ninth wicket off 17.2 overs. Then Sunaina and Usha Bogade (8 not out) averted the follow on by adding 15 runs for the last wicket. Diana finished with four for 45 off 22 overs while Sunita had three for 46.

Railways lost two quick wickets late in the day. Reshma Gandhi (1) was caught behind off Smitha Harikrishna and Poornima Choudhury (6) was run out. Opener Rajani Sharma (6) and Rajani Venugopal (0) were at the crease at stumps.