Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 4: Riding on a fine unbeaten innings of 92 (268b, 9×4) by Girija Rout, Orissa after conceding a first innings lead of 105 runs, scored 228 for the loss of four wickets at stumps on the third day of the four-day match against Himachal Pradesh in the All India K Thimmappiah Memorial cricket tournament at Bangalore. Giving Girija company was Biplab Samantray (14 batting, 40b, 2×4) when the game ended Tuesday.
Earlier Himachal Pradesh resuming at their overnight score of 304 for nine could only add four more runs to their tally as Alok Chandra Sahoo(3/69) cleaned up Abhinay Kanwar.
Girija batted with a lot of circumspect and determination after Orissa again started badly to be reduced to 78 for three with Prateek Das (one), Anurag Sarangi (seven) and Govind Poddar (14) failing to come good with the bat. But Girija found an able ally in Aravind Singh (69, 98b, 8×4, 2×6) and the two put on 117 runs for the fourth wicket to give a semblance of respectability to the team’s score. Aravind played an aggressive knock and that put off the HP bowlers for a while. But he tried be too aggressive and in the process lost his wicket.
Biplab curbed his natural instinctive strokeplay to help Girija and the two saw out the day without any further loss. Orissa are currently 123 runs ahead with six wickets remaining. But they will have to bat sensibly in the first two hours Wednesday to save the team from suffering their second successive defeat.
Brief scores
Orissa 203 and 228 for 4 (Girija Rout 92 batting, Aravind Singh 69); Himachal Pradesh 308 (Alok Chandra Sahoo 3/69). Match to continue.
Football tourney
Bhubaneswar Athletic Association will organise the 12th Gati Krushna Memorial Football league in the first week of September at Unit-I High School ground. On the basis of the performances of the players in the league, the Bhubaneswar district football team will be selected for Sahani Cup 2015.