By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 6: Cricket returned to Meghalaya with today’s start of the U-19 Girls Inter District Cricket Tournament, organised by the Meghalaya Cricket Association.
The tournament is being played at two venues – Umbuda in Ri-Bhoi and Salpara in North Garo Hills – with 10 associations affiliated with the MCA taking part.
In Zone 1’s Group A, Ri-Bhoi District Cricket Association defeated South West Khasi Hills DCA by eight wickets. Zone 2 has just the one group and here North Garo Hills DCA defeated East Garo Hills DCA by 73 runs.
The first match saw Ri-Bhoi win the toss and field first and they were able to restrict their opponents to 125/4. Rain meant that they were set a revised target of 94 to win from 15 overs, which Ri-Bhoi accomplished with three balls to spare.
Indariakor K Wanniang scripted an innings of 48 from 49 balls. Her wicket was claimed by Bimla Thakuri (2/40), while Anjelica Maring (1/8) and Doilna Martin (1/37) picked up the other two. In the chase, Ankita Sharma finished with an unbeaten 37 from 53 balls as Ri-Bhoi won the match by eight wickets.
In the other match, which was rain-free, NGH batted first to post 148/8 in 35 overs and they then rolled EGH over for 75 all out thanks to a rich haul of 7/18 by Julitha Sangma.
The vast majority of runs in NGH’s total were provided by extras, with 105 wides padding out their total. Skangsachuame Marak (17) was the only batter to actually reach double figures. Six different bowlers took wickets, with Kambesa A Sangma returning the best figures of 2/19 in 7 overs.
Kambesa also top-scored with 11 as EGH were all out for 75. NGH captain Julitha took a wicket with the very first ball of the innings and later demolished the tail to claim her figures of 7/18 in 6.2 overs.
On Thursday,West Khasi Hills DCA will face Shillong Cricket Association in Zone 1’s Group B, while South Garo Hills DCA will be up against Tura DCA in Zone 2.