Andhra University women’s cricket team created a record when it won the maiden South Zone inter-university title at Bijapur in Karnataka last week.
The comprehensive wins it scored all through the knockout tournament as it accounted for previous champions Calicut and Madras on the way to the final where it humbled the host Karnataka State Women’s University, infused a lot of confidence in the team as it prepares for the all-India inter-zone tournament to be held in Jaunpur (UP) during January-February next.
“With the win over Calicut in the quarterfinals our confidence levels shot up and we set winning final as our target”, said team captain S. Kavitha. Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju hosted breakfast to the team at the VC’s Lodge on the campus on Tuesday morning and wished the team success in the inter-zone tournament. Every member of the team put in a lot of hard work and gave more than 100 per cent in spite of injuries to some. Even bowlers batted well in the end overs. Overall it was a disciplined show by us and the tournament was very competitive with the best of the teams - Calicut, Madras, Annamallai, Pondicherry and Kerala placed in our group. Almost every match was fought till the last ball, the second year M.P.Ed. student at the AU College of Arts and Commerce said.
Manager of the team G.S. Varma and coach L. Gopalakrishna, a former State player and at present PD of PRISM College, and Kavita said Calicut and other top teams took AU lightly while the AU team went about its job quietly. The fine show by the team in the final, as it recovered from two wickets down for eight runs in the second over to make 214 for six saw the locals supporting the team as the host team started the chase, said Mr. Varma.
Durga Bhavani, who is doing B.P.Ed. at SSR GCPE (Gopannapalem) cracked an unbeaten 45 off 20 balls in the final to add to her two half-centuries to receive the best bat award while G. Polamma of Dr. L. Bullayya College slammed three 50s and picked up 10 wickets to be declared the best all-rounder of the tournament. Seven of the players – Kavita, Polamma, Durga Bhavani, S. Himabindu KVP Chandana, J. Sunanda and Priyanka – are members of the Andhra senior women’s team.
All the players are used to play on turf regularly and were made to adjust themselves to the matting wicket during the 15-day camp held here prior to the tournament and now the team has to be prepared to play under chilly weather at VBS Purvanchal University , Jaunpur during winter, said Gopalakrishna.
Director of Physical Education M. Syam Babu was happy that the girls done the university proud.
