R. Aushik Srinivas — with a match haul of 10 wickets, including seven in the first innings — nearly bowled Vijay to an outright win over Indian Bank before bad light and rain intervened on the final day of a ninth-round TNCA first-division match here at IC-Guru Nanak.
The left-arm spinner’s efforts had Indian Bank on 127 for eight in the second innings when play was called off — 21.1 overs were lost to the elements, and Vijay had to settle for five points for the first-innings lead.
The other match in which rain played spoilsport featured Young Stars and Aruna, who both had a shot at victory. Set 322 to win, Aruna was on 280 for six, with 14.1 overs left, when the players were forced off.
Joint second
The results saw Vijay and Young Stars move to joint second place with 37 points.
Leader Globe Trotters extended its tally to 46 points after ambushing Jolly Rovers at MRF-Pachaiyappa’s. Rovers had ended Tuesday on 211 for two in pursuit of 336. Trotters triggered a collapse with the run-out of century-maker C. Hemant Kumar and secured a nine-run first-innings lead. With two rounds remaining, Trotters is all but certain of a place in the semifinals.
IOB stayed in touch with the big teams after earning five points against Alwarpet. Robert Fernandez (71), M.R. Muthupandi (64), and Vasanth Saravanan (52 n.o.) added to the half-centuries of S. Murali and Abhishek Hegde to take their team past Alwarpet’s first-innings score. IOB drew level with Rovers on 35 points thanks to its performance.
Centurion of the day
The only century of the day came from India Pistons’ S. Avaikkarasan (112 n.o., 185b, 8x4, 1x6). A.C. Prathiban made his second score of 69 n.o. in the match. But neither second-innings effort affected the outcome, for TI Cycles had already ensured five points.
The contest between UFCC (T. Nagar) and Grand Slam was similar, with the first-innings decided on day two. R. Prasanna helped himself to an unbeaten 90 in Grand Slam’s second innings, but his side had to be content with two points.
The scores (ninth round, final day):
At IIT-Chemplast: Alwarpet 262 drew with IOB 370 for five in 143.2 overs (S. Murali 60, Abhishek M. Hegde 62, Robert Fernandez 71, M.R. Muthupandi 64, Vasanth Saravanan 52 n.o.). Points: IOB 5, Alwarpet 2 .
At Murugappa: India Pistons 254 and 334 for five decl. in 80 overs (R. Srinivasan 87, S. Avaikkarasan 112 n.o., A.C. Prathiban 69 n.o.) drew with TI Cycles 290. TI 5, IP 2.
At SRMC turf: Young Stars 307 and 179 for eight decl. drew with Aruna 165 and 280 for six in 100.5 overs (V. Aaditya 62, R. Vivek 48, R. Amith Singh 70). YS 5, Aruna 2.
At MRF-Pachaiyappa’s: Globe Trotters 336 and 16 for one in 12 overs drew with Jolly Rovers 327 in 123.1 overs (M. Prabhu 76, C. Hemant Kumar 104, Ashwin Venkataraman 45). Trotters 5, Rovers 2.
At MAC: UFCC (T. Nagar) 193 and 228 for four decl. in 67 overs (R. Prasanna 90 n.o., B. Indrajith 71) drew with Grand Slam 183 and 52 for two in 23.1 overs. UFCC 5, GS 2.
At IC-Guru Nanak: Vijay 302 and 127 for four decl. in 21.2 overs (K. Shri Vasudevadas 63 n.o.) drew with Indian Bank 180 in 95 overs (N.S. Chaturved 64, R. Ananth 57, R. Aushik Srinivas seven for 56) and 127 for eight in 31.5 overs. Vijay 5, IB 2 .
