Mumbai, Saurashtra score innings wins

In the two Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-16) West Zone league matches on Saturday, Saurashtra and Mumbai scored impressive innings wins over Gujarat and Baroda respectively.

At the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad, Saurashtra won by an innings and 22 runs. Opting to bat, Saurashtra scored 296 with CA Pujara (72) being the top scorer. The score was helped along by handsome contributions by opener BM Chauhan (65) and skipper NR Rathod (48). AP Darji (5 for 118) and KK Fadia (3 for 38) were the pick of the Gujarat bowlers.

In response, Gujarat were bundled out for just 113 with S Padhiyar (5 for 43) running through the side. Opener PA Patil (23) was the top scorer for Baroda. Following on 183 run behind, Gujarat fell short by 22 runs. PA Patil was again the chief contributor with 49 runs.

In the other Under-16 match of the day at the Wankhede stadium, Mumbai were helped to an innings and five-run win over Baroda by a fine eight wicket haul by AY Sunsura in the visitors' second innings.

Put onto bat on the first day, Mumbai declered their innings after running up a massive 408 for 7. Mumbai skipper and opener SS Thakur was the back bone of the innings with a patient 144. Thakur shared a 151-run opening stand with SO Kukreja (72). After Thakur's dismissal R Kanojia (65 not out) ensured the team's total past the 400 run mark. During a 278-minute stay in the centre, Thakur faced 227 balls while finding the signboards on 24 occasions.

Baroda in their first innings were shot out for just 127 as GS Yadav (6 for 38) ran through the Baroda line up. Following on 281 runs behind, Baroda fell short by five runs. It was the left arm spinner Arif Sunsura (8 for 67) who rose to the occasion to bundle out the visitors.

In a South Zone league match which concluded on Friday, Kerala and Karnataka played out a draw at the KRL grounds in Ernakulam. Put into bat on the opening day, Karnataka scored 229. Opener DT Patil (59) was the top scorer as S Anish (5 for 62) and Jerrin (3 for 58) ran through the line up. In reply, Kerala took a slender 35 run lead. Kerala owed it to the lower order batsmen after Moinuddin (4 for 71) reduced the hosts to 96 for 5. RV Gomez (47) was the top scorer for Kerala.

Karnataka declared their second innings at 277 for 9. The innings was held together by a fine unbeaten 116 by MK Manjunath. During a 204- minute stay at the crease, Manjunath faced 149 balls while finding the boundary ropes on 10 occasions and managed to clear it thrice. Needing to score 243 for a win on the final day, Kerala were struggling at 132 for 6 when stumps were drawn. CM Tejas (44) was the topscorer for Kerala.