Karnataka, West Bengal enter Semis

Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, May 23 (UNI) Karnataka and West Bengal entered semifinals of the Junior National Women Cricket Championship for Rajiv Gandhi Trophy being played at Rural Development Trust Sports Complex here today.

In the quarter finals, international Karuna Jain's all round performance helped Karnataka to defeat Haryana by 31 runs, while West Bengal crushed Uttar Pradesh by eight wickets.

Karnataka, put into bat, made 163 runs losing seven wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Karuna hit 37 off 70 balls with three boundaries while Deepika hit 29 off 37 balls with three fours.

Spinners Sunita (3/38) and Deepti (2/34) were the successful bowlers for Haryana.

Haryana collapsed for 132 in just 34.4 overs with good bowling by Karnataka girls. Woman of the match Karuna Jain took four wickets for 17 runs and Shilpa two for 17 runs.

Barring Sharada who hit 26 off 27 balls with 2 fours, no other batswoman could find form.

In another match, Uttar Pradesh, electing to bat, made 145 for nine wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Reema Singh knock made 40 facing 93 balls with five fours. Shiva Kothite scored a brisk 30 off 24 balls with three fours and a six. For Bengal, Arpita excelled taking 3 for 32 runs.

Later, West Bengal raced to victory in 30.2 overs scoring 142 losing just two wickets. Woman of the match and right handed batswoman Priyanka Roy cracked an unbeaten 72 off 81 balls with 11 fours and Payal hit a patient unbeaten 40 off 81 balls with four fours.

Brief Scores: Karnataka 163/7 in 40 overs (Karuna 37, Deepika 29, Sunita 3/38, Deepti 2/34) beat Haryana 132 all out in 34.4 overs. (Sharada 26, Karuna 4/17, Shilpi 2/17) .

Uttara Pradesh 145/9 in 40 overs (Reema Singh 40, Shiva 30.

Arpita 3/32) lost to West Bengal 146/2 in 30.1 overs (Priyanka Roy 72, Payal 40).

Semifinals: Andhra Pradesh Vs Karnataka, Maharastra Vs West Bengal.

UNI XR/DB VV PDS KN1857