JOIN US KSCA XI will take on Cricket Association of Bengal in the final of the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah memorial all-India invitational tournament here next week at Alur grounds.
Both teams failed to register outright wins in their respective semifinals but set-up the title clash against each other after coming away with first innings honours.
KSCA XI, who almost assured themselves of a place in the August 15-18 summit clash after raking up a mammoth 655/7 declared against Vidarbha Cricket Association, dismissed their opponents for 332 in 92 overs. Shalabh Shrivastava waged a lone battle for Vidarbha as KSCA hardly appeared in any trouble whatsover.
David Mathias grabbed 3/34 while Ronit More (2/93) and Gowtham K (2/63) snared two apiece.
Unlike KSCA XI, Bengal had a fight at their hands and they showed good spirit to grab the crucial three points. While they secured a 70-run first innings lead, Mumbai Cricket Association still had time on their hands to eke out a result. Bengal, though, batted strongly in the second innings, posting 235 all out to leave Mumbai with a difficult chase. Mumbai, trying hard, could only manage 193/6 in 20.1 overs.
Brief scores (semifinals): At Alur (2): KSCA XI: 655/7 decl in 184 overs and 130/8 decl in 44.4 overs (Samarth R 62 n.o.; Akshay Karnewar 4-40) drew with Vidarbha Cricket Association: 332 all out in 92 overs (Shalabh Shrivastava 122; David Mathias 3-34, Ronit More 2-93, Gowtham K 2-63). KSCA XI: 3 points; Vidarbha Cricket Association: 1 point.
At Alur (3): Cricket Association of Bengal: 427 all out in 133.3 overs and 235 all out in 79.5 overs (Prasenjit Das 31, Agniv Pan 67, Pankaj Shaw 46; Vishal Dabholkar 2-48, Akash Parkar 2-39, Jay Bista 3-30) drew with Mumbai Cricket Association: 357 all out in 124.2 overs and 193/6 in 20.1 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 72, Aditya Tare 33; Mukesh Kumar 2-51, Aamir Gani 3-39). Cricket Association of Bengal: 3; Mumbai Cricket Association: 1.