KSCA XI fight back

More, Gowtham strike as hosts make good recovery

After being skittled out for a paltry 130 on day one, KSCA XI staged a fine comeback to bowl out Cricket Association of Bengal for a modest 209 on day two of the four-day final of the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappaiah memorial all-India invitational tournament here at the Alur (1) ground on Tuesday.

Resuming at their overnight score of  93/1 for one, Bengal batsmen were undone by a fine bowling effort from the hosts, led by medium pacer Ronit More (3/33) and off-spinner K Gowtham (3/54).

Left-arm spinner Abrar Kazi (2/32) too chipped in with wickets as Bengal could add only 116 runs to their overnight total, managing to take a 79-run lead.  Prasenjit Das, who had set himself up for a big one with an unbeaten 51 on day one, didn’t last for long on Tuesday and fell for 74.

Such was the dominance of KSCA XI bowlers that apart from Prasenjit’s knock, the second highest score by a Bengal batsman was 33, made by Pankaj Shani.  After a disappointing effort in their first innings, KSCA XI made a promising start to their second hit to end the day on 52 for no loss, trailing Bengal by 27 runs. Attacking batsman Mayank Agarwal was batting on 31 while R Samarth was at the crease on 21.

Brief scores: At Alur (1): KSCA XI: 130 all out in 59.3 overs and 52/0 in 18 overs (Mayank Agarwal 31 n.o.) vs CAB: 209 all out in 80.5 overs (Prasenjit 74, Pankaj Shani 33; Ronit More 3-33, Abrar Kazi 2-32, K Gowtham 3-54).