The Hindu : Sport : Karnataka comes up trumps

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 17, 2006

Sport

Sport

Karnataka comes up trumps

Sports Reporter

MOMENT TO CHERISH: Karnataka captain Rowland Barrington admiring the K.S. Subbaiah Pillai Trophy.- PHOTO: H. SATISH

HYDERABAD : Tamil Nadu batting failed when it mattered most. Consequently, Karnataka notched up an impressive, six-wicket win in the final round-robin league match to win the South Zone K.S. Subbaiah Pillai Trophy limited overs cricket tournament at Gymkhana Grounds here on Thursday.

On a pitch that helped the medium-pacers appreciably, particularly in the first session when the ball swung around quite a bit, Tamil Nadu found the going tough from the word go.

And, much to the delight of Karnataka bowlers Vinay Kumar (8-3-31-3) and N.C. Aiyappa (10-0-31-3), Tamil Nadu's top order paid the penalty for going for the big strokes too early.

Badani disappointed

Vidyut Sivaramakrishan (0) was deceived in pace to give a simple return catch to Aiyappa, Sridharan Sriram (13) flicked Vinay straight to square-leg and Hemang Badani (0) was disappointed at being declared caught behind off Vinay Kumar. A visibly upset Badani stood his ground gesturing that the ball had flicked the pads and not the bat.

Even the reliable S. Badrinath, fresh from his impressive knock against Andhra, snicked an away-going ball from B. Akhil (two for 17) to leave Tamil Nadu struggling at 44 for five in 12.4 overs.

The batsmen who followed were in no mood to make amends and the aggressive, but unsuccessful, attitude continued.

Shri Vasudeva Doss was cleaned up by Akhil after going for an inexplicable stroke and Stuart Binny sent back Dinesh Kaarthick (17) to leave Tamil Nadu at 77 for seven in 21.2 overs.

But for the defiance of R. Sathish (43, 67 balls, 3 x 4), Tamil Nadu would have struggled to reach the three-figure mark and it finally folded up for 144 in 45 overs.

Uthappa sizzles

Karnataka had little to worry even after losing a couple of wickets when the chase started. The free-stroking Robin Uthappa (66 not out, 74 balls, 7 x 4) ensured that there was no way Tamil Nadu was going to short-circuit Karnataka's quest and it won in a convincing manner in 29.2 overs. With pitch easing out considerably, neither the pace nor the spin attack of Tamil Nadu had any effect on the batsman.

By remaining unbeaten throughout, Karnataka topped the table with 24 points while, Tamil Nadu finished second with 17 points. However, both the teams have qualified for the all-India knock-out tournament to be held next month.

In another inconsequential match, Hyderabad suffered its fifth straight defeat when Goa recorded a one-wicket win while, Kerala scored a surprise, 33-run win against Andhra.

Hyderabad fnished at the bottom of the table with minus three points while Andhra has one and Goa none.

The scores: Tamil Nadu 144 in 45 overs (R. Sathish 43) lost to Karnataka 145 for four in 29.2 overs (Robin Uthappa 66 not out).

At Uppal: Hyderabad 226 in 49.2 overs lost to Goa 227 for nine in 50 overs (Shagun Kamat 81, Sahil Dhuri 46).

AT NFC: Kerala 269 for eight in 50 overs (Jagadeesh 84, R.Vincent Gomez 83, Anil Kumar 43, A.T. Rayudu four for 45) bt Andhra 236 in 48.1 overs (Y. Gnaneshwara Rao 56).

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