Tura District Cricket Association had to overcome a first innings deficit to beat South Garo Hills DCA but did so to pull off a fantastic victory by 212 runs in Zone 2 of the U-15 Inter District Cricket Tournament 2023 in Williamnagar today.
In the other match, West Jaintia Hills DCA celebrated victory over East Khasi Hills Cricket Association by an innings and 77 runs in Zone 1 in Umbuda, Ri-Bhoi.
Yesterday, on day one, Tura were restricted to 158 all out after winning the toss and batting first. Agatchu Chetai K Marak top-scored with 52, while Christwar Marak (3/23) and Jyeipara A Sangma (3/31) were the most successful SGH bowlers.
Christwar then produced an excellent personal performance with the bat, hitting 141 from 125 deliveries as SGH declared on 244/8, which gave them a first innings lead of 86. On this occasion, it was Manthan Gupta who shone with the ball for Tura, claiming 4/41.
Jyeipara (5/115) then bagged a five-wicket haul in the third innings of the match but Tura batted excellently to post 382/8 declared, with four of their batters getting fifties – Aritra Paul (97), Trijal Agarwal (82 not out), Jamesbirth Ch Sangma (80) and Agatchu (78) again.
This mammoth total meant that SGH had to chase 297 for an unlikely win but they were rolled over for only 84. Christwar top-scored as opening batter with 48 but his team mates could not deliver the necessary support in the face of another wonderful bowling spell by Gupta, who took another 7/6, giving him match figures of 11/47. Gupta was named Player of the Match but Christwar was also recognised for his heroic performances for SGH.
In the other match, EKH won the toss yesterday and chose to bat but only made 136/10. The bulk of those runs were produced by Nangsan Shaphrang Kynter (58) at the top of the order, while Eshan Siangshai bagged 3/33 for WJH.
There were plenty of small batting contributions that added up to the significant total of 281 all out for WJH in their first innings, with Maremdorkini Sutnga hitting 56 and Neheimaia Gatphoh 49. Four different EKH bowlers took two wickets each, with Everbloom Nongrum having the best figures of 2/21.
EKH required 145 runs in their second innings just to make WJH bat again but 5/10 by Namewanki Pakyntein saw them all out for 68. With 2/28 in the first innings (match figures of 7/38) and having made 34 with the bat, Pakyntein was named Player of the Match.
