Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 26: Orissa Blues registered an emphatic eight wickets victory over Bhubaneswar Colts in the inaugural match of the E League cricket tournament at the IMMT Cricket Stadium here Saturday.
On a windy morning, Colts won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first. Blues’ bowlers exploited the conditions well and picked four top-order wickets inside the first two overs including the prized scalp of emerging player, Sandeep Patnaik. It proved to be the turning point of the match as the Colts folded up for a paltry 79 in 34.1 overs. Man of the match, Swayam Singh (3/7) and Rakesh Mohapatra (3/5) bowled well for the winners.
Blues did not have much problem in chasing down the total and they cantered home in 17 overs as the weather turned sunny in the second half.
Ravenshaw win
Ravenshaw University registered a convincing 98-run victory against VKS University in a match of the East Zone Inter-University cricket tournament at Darbhanga, Saturday.
Opting to bat first, Ravenshaw rode on a scintillating century by skipper Srijay Mohanty (111 n o) to post a challenging total of 221 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 45 overs.
In reply, VKS could not face a fiery spell from Vikash Srivastav (5/32) and were bowled out for 113 runs. Ravenshaw will play their next match against M Bhagalpur University, Sunday.
12 from Orissa
Twelve cricketers from Orissa have been selected in the 16-member Senior and U-19 East Zone squads for the BCCI Women’s Inter-Zonal cricket tournament to be played at Guntur and Ranchi. The East Zone selection committee announced both the squads after a meeting at Cuttack, Saturday.
Madhusmita Behera, Swagatika Rath, Madhuri Mehta, Sushree Pradhan, Kadambini Mahakud, Sujata Mallick have been selected for the senior East Zone team. Madhusmita has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Similarly Sushree, Sumitra Sahu, Anjali Singh, Banalata Mallick, Sarojini Giri, Sasmita Mahalik are members of the U-19 squad. Sushree has been nominated captain of the side.
Grassroots centre
Another Grassroots Football Centre of Football Association of Orissa (FAO) was inaugurated at the Ghatikia Ground here Saturday.