SPIC-TNCA on run riot in Buchi final

Chennai, Aug 30 (UNI) It was boundaries galore as SPIC-TNCA XI, riding on a scintillating century by skipper S Badrinath, amassed 415 for six in 90 overs at close against Combined Districts on the opening day of the three-day final of the Mindteck Buchi Babu All India cricket tournament here today.

All the top six batsmen made merry and stitched together useful partnerships as SPIC-TNCA XI piled up a mammoth total, thus far the highest in this edition.

It was a treat for the sparse crowd at the ICL Gurunanak college grounds as nearly half the runs came in boundaries as the SPIC-TNCA batsmen in all struck 38 fours and nine sixers.

Openers M Vijay (37, 6x4) and Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan (58, 96 balls, 8x4, 1x6) laid a solid foundation with a 73-run stand in 19.3 overs.

Vidyut and Badrinath (124, 148 balls, 11x4, 5x6) grounded the toothless District's attack, scoring at seven an over, to add 70 for the second wicket in 10.3 overs, before Badrinath and former Indian wicket-keeper Dinesh Kaarthick (29, 3x4, 1x6) consolidated the innings with a 71 run stand for the third in 14.2 overs.

Badrinath in the company of C Hemant Kumar (92, 129 balls, 5x4, 2x6) added 111 in 26.2 overs for the fourth wicket and the fifth wicket stand between Hemant and K Shri Vasudevadoss (31, 4x4) yielded another 57 runs as SPIC-TNCA batsmen went on a run-riot.

The saving grace for Districts was the two wicket haul by off spinner S Suresh Kumar.

Since the first and second innings were restricted to 90 and 45 overs a side, Districts face an uphill task tomorrow when they commence their reply.

Brief Scores : SPIC-TNCA XI 415 for six in 90 overs (M Vijay 37, S Vidyut 58, S Badrinath 124, Dinesh Kaarthick 29, C Hemant Kumar 92, K Shri Vasudevadoss 31, S Suresh Kumar two for 69) vs Combined Districts.

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