The Hindu : Central bounces back in style

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Central bounces back in style

PALAKKAD, FEB. 18. After being down in the dumps at 36 for three an hour after start, Central Zone recovered smartly and made 291 for six on the opening day of its four-day final against West in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy National under-19 inter-zone cricket championship at the Fort Maidan here on Wednesday.

It was Central's highest score in the current inter-zonals. And the recovery was fuelled by some nice team effort with the consistent Shan-E-Alam (67 off 173 balls, 8x4), captain Tahir Abbar (49, 57 b, 8x4), Arvind Mann (batting 61, 6x4), Shalab Srivatsava (50, 114 b, 8x4) and Praveen Kumar (batting 42, 4x4) all sharing the burden of helping out the side.

But early in the day, Central was all at sea after opting to bat first, as the West medium-pacer Gautam Yadav held the centre-stage. Gautam first trapped Mohammed Amir leg before, then he had Shivakant Shukhla, who figured in India's recent under-19 Asia Cup triumph in Pakistan, edging one to the wicketkeeper Yogesh Takawade without opening his essay. A few overs later, he bowled Vinod Chanwaria.

Central would have been in deeper waters, but Shan Alam and Arvind Mann were given a reprieve.

Then came the Central recovery, in three stages. First Shan and Tahir put on 84 runs for the fourth wicket but just when the team appeared to be settling down, the two were run-out after some communication problems.

"What's the hurry. They're playing the four-dayer like a one-dayer,'' said the Central coach Shirish Joshi. But he was a very happy man by the end of the day.

With the West spinners lacking sting and often appearing mediocre, Shalab Shrivastava and Arvind Mann lifted the spirits in the Central camp with a 91-run partnership for the sixth wicket and then Arvind and Praveen Kumar put on 54 runs for the unbeaten seventh wicket which was dotted by a few exciting boundaries.

The scores: Central Zone 291 for six in 91 overs (Shan-E Alam 67, Tahir Abbas 49, Arvind Mann batting 61, Shalab Srivatsava 50, Praveen Kumar batting 42, Gautam Yadav three for 65) v West Zone. — Our Sports Reporter

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