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Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005

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Andhra enters semifinals

Special Correspondent

Jharkhand posts emphatic win over SPIC-TNCA XI

CHENNAI: With Combined Districts' valiant surge halted by inclement weather and Goa, the third team in Zone `C' pulling out, Andhra entered the semifinals of the Mindteck-Buchi Babu all-India invitation tournament here on Tuesday.

And Jharkhand achieved an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the SPIC-TNCA XI at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Paceman S.S. Rao (six for 82) struck at regular intervals to restrict the home team to 168 in its second essay; C. Hemant Kumar top-scored with 47.

Chasing 86 in 45 overs, Jharkhand, in a spot of bother at 13 for two, found the man for the occasion in Subroto Ghosh, who smashed nine fours and two sixes during his hectic 41-ball unbeaten 60.

Needing to score 256 in 45 overs, Districts was in with a distinct chance at 200 for five in 30.5 overs, when rain followed by poor light ended the contest at the IIT-Chemplast ground. Districts was provided a stable platform with openers V. Devendran (70, 63b, 5x4, 3x6) and V. Gautam (48, 51b, 3x4, 1x6) adding 124 in 18.2 overs. Then, R. Satish rattled up a 29-ball 36.

For Andhra, left-arm spinner Y. Laxman Kishore (four for 72) produced his second four-wicket haul of the match.

Earlier, paceman K.S. Shahabuddin (five for 30) and Kishore (four for 42) combined to dismiss Districts for 174, as Andhra gained a 54-run lead. The visiting side then made 201 for nine in 45 overs, with A.S.K. Verma contributing an unbeaten 72 (96b, 4x4, 1x6).

At the CPT-IP ground, Chattisgarh, 195 adrift in the first innings, finished its second innings - restricted to 45 overs - at 141 for seven, which left Rajasthan the winner by an innings and 54 runs.

With Tripura, trailing by 211 runs, reaching only 108 for two in the 45 overs of its second essay, TNCA President's XI romped home by an innings and 103 runs at the SRMC ground.

The scores:

SPIC-TNCA XI 213 & 168 in 36.4 overs (C. Hemant Kumar 47, S.S. Rao six for 82) lost to Jharkhand 296 for eight & 88 for two in 17.5 overs (Subroto Ghosh 60 not out), at MAC. Jharkhand 8; SPIC-TNCA XI 0.

Rajasthan 374 bt Chattisgarh 179 & 141 for seven in 45 overs, at CPT-IP. Rajasthan 8; Chattisgarh 0.

Andhra 228 & 201 for nine in 45 overs (A.S.K. Verma 72 not out) drew with Districts 174 in 79.4 overs (R. Satish 45, M.K. Shivakumar 44, K.S. Shahabuddin five for 30, Laxman Kishore four for 42) & 200 for five in 30.5 overs (V. Devendran 70, Gautam 48, Laxman Kishore four for 72), at IIT-Chemplast. Andhra 5; Districts 2.

Tripura 149 & 108 for two in 45 overs lost to TNCA President's XI 360 for six, at SRMC. TNCA President's XI 8; Tripura 0.

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