The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Good knocks by Ramesh and Suresh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 01, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Good knocks by Ramesh and Suresh

CHENNAI, AUG. 31. Sadagopan Ramesh had set his sights on a huge score, batting with intensity and concentration. However, his sudden exit and that of skipper S. Suresh earlier — both before lunch — put the brakes on TNCA President's XI, which managed to reach 305 for eight in the stipulated 90 overs on the opening day of the three-day final against SPIC-TNCA XI in the Sahara Buchi Babu all-India invitation tournament at the MAC stadium on Tuesday.

As long as the two were in the middle, a solid total was on the cards after Suresh won the toss and decided to bat. Ramesh and Suresh put on 119 in 27.3 overs when the latter left after making 59 (79b, 5x4, 1x6). Ramesh (72, 108b, 8x4) followed thereafter, both falling victims to leg-spinner M.P. Rajesh.

By lunch, President's XI was at a tidy 157 for two, a perfect foundation to raise a pile of runs. But lethargy set in and wickets began to fall.

The dependable S. Sharath did not go beyond 32, while another southpaw Sunil Viswanathan (38) got castled by Mahesh just when he appeared set for a long innings. It required some sprightly running between the wickets, punctuated with occasional big hits, by Arjun Sarathy (39 not out) and Raghuram (23 not out) to take President's XI past the 300-mark. Their unbroken ninth-wicket stand is already worth 38.

With some steady mediumpace bowling, Yo Mahesh returned figures of there for 42 while left-arm spinner R. Ramkumar and Rajesh bagged two each.

The scores (final): TNCA President's XI 305 for eight in 90 overs (S. Suresh 59, S. Ramesh 72, Yo Mahesh three for 42) v SPIC-TNCA XI. — Our Special Correspondent

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport