Openers give Bengal the upper hand against Tamil Nadu

An unbeaten 278-run opening stand between Ajay Garai (117) and Mayuk Biswas (116) not only helped Bengal take a lead of eight runs over Tamil Nadu, but also virtually made sure of their entry into the quarterfinal of the Vijay Merchant Trophy (under-16) in Calcutta on Tuesday.

After having bowled out the visitors for 270 on the opening day, Bengal were two without loss at the start of play. The openers started rather carefully in the morning so much so that the the first fifty runs was realised in 16.3 overs. Both Garai and Biswas put their heads down through the afternoon session of play and proceeded slowly to bring up the 100 of the partnership, needing a further 25.2 overs.

The duo were inseparable even as the Tamil Nadu skipper Vasudeva Das utilised nine bowlers in a bid to break the partnership. Late in the afternoon, both Garai and Biswas changed gears and stepped up the run rate. The 200 for the partnership came in 70.3 overs. The two carried on Bengal's fortunes till close of play and ensured that the home team clearly took the honours on the second day. Both have so far batted for 344 minutes. Garai has faced 266 balls and has hit 17 of them to the ropes while Biswas has faced 290 balls and hit 23 fours.

On the opening day (Monday), opting to bat, Vasudeva Das played the lead role in enabling his team to pile up 270 on the board. Tamil Nadu were pegged on the back foot initially when they lost opener GM James, leg before to Anirpan Gupta, in the sixth over of the day. Keeper KDK Kartik (11) and DP Doss (53) took the score to 58. Then the fall of Doss, the third wicket, brought in Vasudeva Das and the skipper carried on gallantly, remaining unbeaten at the end with 105, even as wickets kept falling at the other end. In his 219-minute stay at the centre, Vasudeva Das faced 184 balls and hit 18 boundaries.