Karnataka bowlers restrict TNCA

Karnataka bowlers put on a clinical show to bowl out hosts TNCA President’s XI for a paltry total on day one of their quarterfinals in the all-India invitational Buchi Babu tournament here on Monday.

Opting to bat first, TNCA got off to the worst possible start when they lost wickets in quick succession, but their middle-order held water and carried them to a respectable 233 all out in 89.5 overs.

K Vasudevadas (98) and Test-discard Murali Vijay were were the ones who put TNCA back on track with their 80-run partnership.

Abhimanyu Mithun was the pick of the bowlers for Karnataka as the 22-year-old scalped three wickets, conceding a mere 29 runs in 13.5 overs. Left-arm orthodox KP Appanna too bagged three wickets, while skipper R Vinay Kumar and Rajoo Bhatkal finished with two wickets apiece to help Karnataka have to chase down a much smaller target on day two.

Brief scores (quarterfinal): TNCA President’s XI: 233 all out in 89.5 overs (K Vasudevadas 98, M Vijay 51; A Mithun 3-29, KP Appanna 3-71, R Vinay Kumar 2-29, Rajoo Bhatkal 2-36) vs Karnataka.