Chennai: The Board President’s XI team usually provides opportunities for players to prove their mettle against visiting foreign sides. But what does a player do when even after selection to the playing XI, is mistreated? Probably Orissa opener Govind Poddar will be the best to explain the situation.
The Orissa captain who usually bats at the top of the order for his state side was asked to bat at No. 8 in the game against the visiting Australians here Tuesday. If the selectors had wanted to use him in this fashion it would have been better for them not select him at all. The moment a recognised batsman is asked to bat at No.8, it is the signal that the selectors lack faith in his abilities.
Govind lasted five balls before being bowled by Ashton Agar (4/44) in a game which the Australians won by a massive margin of 103 runs. But mentally, he must have been dismissed many times before he even went in to bat. So much so for the way the selectors handle our junior cricketers.
Meanwhile, after opting to bat, Australia scored 347 for seven powered by fine half centuries by Marcus Stoinis (76, 60b, 4×4, 5×6), Travis Head (65, 63b, 5×4, 1×6), David Warner (64, 48b, 11×4) and skipper Steve Smith (55, 68b, 4×4, 1×6). Young all-rounder Washington Sundar (2/23 off eight overs) impressed with the ball for BPXI.
In reply BPXI were bowled out for 244 in 48.2 overs with Agar doing most of the damage. Only Shreevats Goswami (43, 54b, 2×4) and Mayank Agarwal (42, 47b, 4×4) could offer some resistance. It was a ninth wicket partnership of 66 runs between Akshay Karnewar (40, 28b, 2×4, 4×6) and Kushang Patel (41 n o, 48b, 5×4, 1×6) that took them past the 200-run mark.
Brief scores
Australia 347/7 (Marcus Stoinis 76, Travis Head 65, David Warner 64; Washington Sundar 2/23) bt BP XI 244 in 48.2 overs (Sreevats Goswami 43, Mayank Agarwal 42; Ashton Agar 4/44) by 103 runs.
PNN & Agencies