SHILLONG: Defending champions St Anthony’s HS School and St Xavier’s Secondary School got off to convincing starts in the opening matches of the 9th IP Das Memorial Inter School Cricket Tournament for the under-16s at the Cricket Ground, Polo, on Thursday.
The tournament is organised by the Shillong Cricket Association in collaboration with the East Khasi Hills District Sports Office.
In a Group A contest, St Anthony’s defeated Shillong Secondary School by 30 runs in the opening fixture.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the Anthonians scored 138/8 in the allotted 25 overs. Abhishek made 31, while Rupan Deb took 3-25 in five overs.
In reply, Shillong Secondary were dismissed for 108 in 24.2 overs.
Abhishek claimed 2-4 with the ball in four overs, while Ajoy Barua top-scored with 22 runs in a losing cause.
In the second game of the day, St Xavier’s were comprehensive 75-run victors over Laitumkhrah Bengalee School.
As in the first match, the winning team won the toss and chose to bat first.
St Xavier’s put up a total of 144/7 in 25 overs, with Bikash Prasad shining with a half-century (58 from 58 balls) and Aryan Borah contributing 31 runs.
Lahunmiki Myria took 2-29 in five overs.
In reply, Laitumkhrah Bengalee School were skittled out for 69 in 13.1 overs.
Ravi Shah bagged 3-20 for the winners in three overs.
An inaugural function was held on Thursday with Martin Luther Christian University vice-chancellor RG Lyngdoh opening the tournament.
Two more U-16 matches will be held on Friday.
St Nanak Secondary School will go up against Queenie Secondary School in Group C, while Shillong Jail Road Boys HS School face Arya Kanya Secondary School in Group D.
Indoor cricket facility to come up in state
Meanwhile, in what could prove to be a significant development, the BCCI has approved a proposal from the Meghalaya Cricket Association to set up an indoor cricket facility in the state.
This was announced by MCA Honorary Secretary Naba Bhattacharjee at the inaugural function of the U-16 tournament.
