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Grand Slam in control

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Centuries from openers K.B. Arun Karthick and X. Thalaivan Sargunam powered Grand Slam to a commanding position at the end of the first day of the TNCA first division cricket final against Jolly Rovers.

Arun Karthick (153) and Thalaivan Sargunam (122) raised a mammoth 265, denying Jolly Rovers a wicket for more than two sessions, before sparkling strokeplay from S. Suresh Kumar and captain J.R. Madanagopal took Grand Slam to 360 for two in 90 overs.

On a flat CPT-IP track that offered the bowlers little to work with, Karthick, 22, and Sargunam, 24, set about making the most of their captain’s luck with the toss.

Both openers were reprieved off left-armer Suthesh early in their innings, but they settled to ensure Rovers paid dearly for its lapses in the field. In the process, each registered his third century of the season and passed 850 runs.

Clean striker

The slender Karthick was the aggressor in the partnership, striking the ball cleanly and often on the rise. In all, he hit 15 fours and two sixes in his 202-ball effort — a swept six into the shady car park, the most memorable.

Sargunam played the spinners, R. Ashwin and Giripal, particularly well. He met the ball with a straight blade well in front of his leading pad. A turn of the wrists tucked the ball behind square on the on-side. He struck six fours and a six in his 241-ball stay.

The pair also ran exceptionally well between wickets.The running between wickets was also a testament to their fitness. On an oppressively hot Sunday, Karthick and Sargunam scampered several sharp singles. They also converted ones into twos.

Ashwin toiled for his two wickets. He bowled 20 overs on the trot in his first spell before cranking out a further 12. A particularly fascinating phase of play saw Ashwin set Sargunam up with fast leg-breaks from around the wicket, before tossing one up.

The leading edge didn’t go to hand; Ashwin, however, was rewarded later in the day for his efforts: Karthick hit one to square-leg and Sargunam edged onto his thigh to be caught behind.

The scores: Grand Slam 360 for two in 90 overs (K.B. Arun Karthick 153, X. Thalaivan Sargunam 122, S. Suresh Kumar 41 batting) vs. Jolly Rovers.

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