da 888casino： Tamil Nadu have almost clinched the MJ Gopalan Trophy after three daysof cricket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai
Staff Reporter21-Oct-2001Tamil Nadu have almost clinched the MJ Gopalan Trophy after three daysof cricket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Colombo DistrictsCricket Association (CDCA)XI were shot out for just 198 runs in theirfirst innings, thanks to a brilliant spell of fast bowling byLakshmipathy Balaji (16-10-16-4) with the support of left-arm spinnerRamakrishnan Ramkumar (23-5-62-4). By close of play on the penultimateday, Tamil Nadu had moved on to 154/3 in their second innings.Tamil Nadu had been bowled out for 397 on the second day. Robin Singhwas snared in the slips after making just 28 runs. Sridharan Sharath,who has been prolific form, played yet another attractive knock to make88 off 177 balls. He was given good support by wicket-keeperThirugnanasambandam Arasu (36). Tilan Samaraweera (4/68) and UpulChandana (4/77) were the pick of the bowlers.CDCA XI got off to a shocking start; Balaji had Ian Daniel caught behindfor a duck. Jehan Mubarak (26) and Michael Vandort (21) added 48 runsfor the second wicket before Ashish Kapoor bowled Mubarak. Vandortdid not last much longer, falling to the left-arm spin of Ramkumar.CDCA XI were reeling at 57/3 at that stage.The 20-year-old Balaji struck twice as Prasanna Jayawardene (13) wastrapped in front of the wicket and Dinusha Fernando’s (5) stumps wereknocked back. CDCA XI finished the second day on 97/5. Balaji, who hasbeen training in the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, hasimproved in leaps and bounds over the last six months.The third day’s play toso was not very auspicious for the Lankanplayers. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s (30) vigil at the crease came to anend when Ramkumar got through his defence. Balaji struck again,removing the experienced Chandna (5) trapped lbw. Samaraweera (31)made a brave effort to give some respectability to the CDCA XI score beforeRobin Singh caught him off the bowling of Ramkumar.Gayan Wijekooon Ramyakumara was the last wicket to fall after making apatient 24 and the CDCA XI innings finished on 198 made in 77.3 overs.Tamil Nadu skipper Robin Singh decided not to enforce the follow-on.Tamil nadu lost Suresh (19) early in the second innings. SridharanSriram who hit a century (100) in the first innings was a bit slow toget started. Once he got into his rhythm there was no stopping thisleft-handed international batsman. Along with Hemanth Kumar (49) headded 111 runs for the second wicket and put the match much beyond thevisitors.Madanagopal who looked good for a big knock in the first innings,failed to open his acount in the second. By close of play Sriram hadmoved to an unbeaten 79 (8 fours) and giving him company is Sharath(4*). The final day’s play will provide more runs for the Tamil Nadubatsmen. Robin Singh will get one more opportunity to send the messageacross to the national selectors that he is not a spent force. Withthe match safely sealed in their favour, Tamil Nadu will be callingthe shots tomorrow at the Chepauk.