Tura District Cricket Association and East Khasi Hills Cricket Association are in the driving seat in their respective matches of the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s U-15 Inter District Cricket Tournament 2023 after the first day’s play today.
In Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, Zone 2 got underway with TDCA winning the toss and batting first against West Khasi Hills District Cricket Association. They made 196 all out in their first innings thanks to half-centuries by Ben Haden N Marak (64 from 43 balls) and Jamesbirth Ch Sangma (50 from 67). Jemmillson Marngar (3/24) and John Milton Sohphoh (3/28) were the most successful bowlers for WKH.
Marngar (23) and Keeperwelson Sun (27) top-scored for WKH as they made 106/10, trailing by 90, with three wickets each for Jamesbirth (3/16), Manthan Gupta (3/23) and Kein Hagio R Marak (3/46).
TDCA had no desire to hang around in their second innings as they rocketed to 200/2 declared in just 25 overs, which is a run rate of exactly 8 per over. Openers Aritra Paul (87) and Agatchu Chetai K marak (86) dominated proceedings in a 173-run opening stand. This gave WKH a target of 291 for victory but by stumps they had been reduced to 23/6, with Gupta claiming four wickets (three in a single over) without conceding a run, while Kein Hagio bagged 2/23.
In the Zone 1 game in Umbuda, Ri-Bhoi, EKH won the toss and chose to bat first, compiling 301/9 declared against East Jaintia Hills. EKH were going quite well with 53 by Ryan Emi Swer and contributions by Mihsalan Lyngdoh (37) and Damechwa Khongsngi (34) but it was Damewanbiang Shadap who came in at Number 9 and struck 82 from 78 to propel his side to over 300. Siyon Sangma bagged 3/60 and Rohit Pandey 2/60.
EJH faced 18 over before stumps and faced an uphill task against EKH’s bowlers, posting 28/8 on the board, still trailing by 273. Mebansiewdor Kharshanoi scalped 3/3 and Dameiaidap Wahlang 2/5.
