Shillong, November 3: Meghalaya were dismissed for just 102 by Goa as play finally began in their U-23 men’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy Elite Group match at the MCA Ground here today.
The first day yesterday was washed out but play was able to get underway today, though for less than 30 overs.
Goa won the toss and chose to field first and the decision was the right one as overcast conditions and moisture in the surface ensured that bowling conditions were optimum.
After running through the Meghalaya innings in just 28.1 overs Goa were put under pressure themselves and lost Veer Yadav for a duck as he was bowled by PM Santhosh off the fourth ball of the visitors’ innings. However, dark clouds hovered over the ground and bad light brought a premature end to proceedings, with Goa on 4/1 at stumps.
Meghalaya lost batters with regularity and, at 40/6, were in real danger of not reaching double figures. However, Manish Sharma played a watchful innings of 33 from 56 balls (5x4s) that prevented a complete rout and he also received fine support from Gavineal Marpna (22 from 24, 5x4s), whose first 20 runs all came in flourishing hits to the fence.
Unsurprisingly, given the pace-friendly conditions, seven wickets were taken by Goa’s fast bowlers, with Vinayak G Kunte (4/15 in 8 overs) the pick of the pack. Spin was introduced only much later but, though Gavineal enjoyed facing the slower balls, both Deep Kasvankar (2/14) and Anuj Yadav (1/14) were also among the wickets.
With two days still to go, there is plenty of time for a result, so long as the weather cooperates. Goa were fortunate to just face 1 over today but Meghalaya will look to inflict quick damage to their top order tomorrow morning.
