da dobrowin： Tamil Nadu emerged worthy winners of the MJ Gopalan Trophy 2001after they got better of Colombo Districts Cricket Association(CDCA) XI by virtue of their 199 runs first innings lead
Santhosh S23-Oct-2001Tamil Nadu emerged worthy winners of the MJ Gopalan Trophy 2001after they got better of Colombo Districts Cricket Association(CDCA) XI by virtue of their 199 runs first innings lead. Onthe fourth and final day of the match at the MA ChidambaramStadium, Chepauk in Chennai, on Monday, play was called offafter eight mandatory overs were bowled. CDCA XI had moved onto 206/4 in their second innings with Ian Daniel unbeaten on77, giving him company was skipper Samaraweera on 4*.Earlier in the day, resuming on 154/3, Tamil Nadu lost theenterprising Sridharan Sriram (81), he had added just two moreruns to his overnight score. Sriram was caught well in thedeep by Dinusha Fernando off the bowling of Samaraweera,looking for quick runs. After batting for eight overs in themorning, Tamil Nadu skipper Robin Singh declared the innings closedon 178/4, setting CDCA XI a target of 378 to win. Sharath(20*) and Arasu (6*) were at the crease at that stage.CDCA XI were in for an early shock, Jehan Mubarak (7) nicked aball from Balaji into the safe gloves of Arasu. The Tamil Naduwicketkeeper is better known as ‘Evander Hollyfield’ for thestriking semblance to the great boxing star.Michael Vandort once again threatened to play a big knock butfailed after making 28 runs off 37 balls with the help of fourboundaries and a six. He was caught by Madanagopal off thebowling of Ashish Kapoor. Tillakaratne Dilshan continued inthe same form he showed in the limited over matches, to score56 runs off 83 balls. He fell to the left arm spin ofRamkumar.Wishvanath Jaywardene made a slow 16 runs off 55 balls andalong with Daniel, ensured that Tamil Nadu did not sneak inan outright win. MR Shrinivas who was generating good pace andbounce claimed the wicket of Jayawardene, caught by Balaji. Bythen both the teams had closed shop and the players wentthrough the motions.Winning the MJ Gopalan Trophy must have been a tonic to theTamil Nadu team led by Robin Singh; they are to start theirRanji campaign very shortly. The highlight of the match wasthe bowling of the young fast bowler Balaji and the battingexploits of Sriram (100 and 81).