Shiv, Niranjan lift Orissa ‘A’

An unbeaten half-century each by captain Shiv Sundar Das and Niranjan Behera helped Orissa ‘A’ overcome a disastrous start against Tripura on the opening day of their two-day league match of the 1st All-India Basant Biswal Memorial Cricket Tournament at Ravenshaw University ground in Cuttack on today. Sent to bat, the home side were in dire straits, losing three wickets (Natraj Behera, Paresh Patel, Subit Biswal) for five runs on the board. But an unfinished fourth wicket partnership of 138 runs by Das and Behera helped them end the day at 143 without any more loss. Das played with caution and patience to reach 67 with the help of nine boundaries, while an aggressive Behera struck 10 fours and two sixes in his 88-ball unfinished knock of 71. The 90-overs-a-side match was reduced to 66 overs due to overnight rain and a delayed start. SUMANTH MISSES TON: Andhra middle-order batsman B Sumanth missed a century against Orissa ‘B’ by three runs in another group league match at Barabati Stadium. Sumanth’s 168-ball knock enabled Andhra make 209 before being all out in 69.4 overs. Santosh Jena and Sayeed Zaki bowled well for Orissa ‘B’, bagging three wickets each. Brief scores: At Ravenshaw University ground: Orissa ‘A’ 143/3 in 34 overs (Niranjan Behera batting 71, Shiv Sundar Das batting 67: Rana Datta 2/37) vs Tripura. At Barabati Stadium: Andhra 209/10 in 69.4 overs (B Sumanth 97, D Swaroop Kumar 31: Santosh Jena 3/23, Sayeed Zaki 3/29) vs Orissa ‘B’.